Tars Tripped Up in Season Opener

TAMPA, Fla. (March 24, 2020) – The No. 7 Tars stumbled out of the gate, falling against the No. 10 Tampa Spartans, 13-9 in their 2021 season opener.  With the loss Rollins starts the year at 0-1, and 0-1 in Sunshine State Conference play.  Tampa moves to 2-0 overall, and 2-0 against SSC opposition.
 
Eden Cooke led the way for the Tars, netting a hat-trick.  Abigail Cawley and Sammy Ottimo each tallied a pair of goals.  Taylor Kienle registered Rollins only assist.  Gabby Tanner played the full 60 minutes in net, making 10 saves.
 
Jacksonville transfer Genie Santarpio paced the Spartans with a hat-trick of her own.  Midfielder Cece Colombo dished out a game high four assists.  Alex Walling made eight saves between the pipes for Tampa.
 
The Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 lead, before a Taylor Kienle free position goal got Rollins on the board.  However, Tampa followed Rollins first score of the year with four goal run, extending their advantage to 6-1 with 13 minutes remaining in the first half.  The Tars responded with an Ottimo free position goal, a score from Cooke, who beat her defender behind the net, and a free position goal from Liz Fahey.  Rollins trailed 7-4 going into the break.
 
Rollins came out of the halftime on a roll, scoring the first three goals of the period to bring the score level, at 7-7.  Ottimo put a free position shot in the back of the net for the equalizer.  The Spartans responded with a three goal run of their own, taking a 10-7 lead at the halfway point of the second period.  Cawley ended the Tampa run, making the score 10-8, but that would be as close as the Tars would get in the final minutes.  Tampa held off the Tars final efforts, as Rollins dropped their season opener.
 
Up Next:
Rollins will return to the friendly confines of Barker Family Stadium for their home opener against the Lynn Fighting Knights.  The first draw is set for Saturday, March 27, at 2 p.m.
 
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