Tars Drop SSC Semifinal Tilt

LAKELAND, Fla. (April 28, 2022) – The No. 14 Tars could not complete a valiant comeback attempt, as Rollins fell to the No. 11 Florida Southern Mocs, 17-11, in the semifinal round of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament.  The third-seeded Tars fall to 13-4 on the year, as they bow out of conference tournament.  The second-seeded Mocs advance to Sunday's SSC Championship against the Tampa Spartans with a record of 14-3.
 
A trio of Tars, Claire Reist, Caroline Gastonguay, and Liz Fahey, each found the back of the net twice to pace the Rollins offense.  Caroline Gastonguay and Reist each added as assist for a team high three points.  Abigail Cawley led Rollins with a pair of assists.  Bridget Cawley caused three turnovers for the Tars defensively, while Whintey MacMillan collected a team high five draw controls.  Rachel Schlesinger got the start in net for Rollins, making eight saves.  Claire Barber saw ten minutes of relief work between the pipes.
 
Lizzy Lynch, Hailey Daleo, and Abby McFerren led the Mocs, tallying four goals apiece.  Madison Tare registered five points, with a pair of goals and a trio of assists.  Brittany Iamele got the start in net for the Mocs, making a pair saves in the first half of action.  Patricia Werker played the final 30 minutes for Florida Southern and made five saves.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Quarter

• The Mocs jumped out to an early lead, scoring three goals over the first six minutes of the game.
• Caroline Gastonguay net the Tars first goal to make the score 3-1 at the halfway point of the quarter.
• Florida Southern would close the quarter with a second three goal spurt to put Rollins in a five goal hole after one quarter.

Second Quarter

• The Mocs tallied the first goal of the second period to balloon their lead to 7-1.
• The Tars would claw back into the game with a three goal run of their own.  Taylor Kienle opened the scoring for Rollins.
• Courtney Martin found the back of the net for the first time in her collegiate career for Rollins' second straight goal.
• Abigail Cawley assisted Liz Fahey for her first score, as the Tars fought back to 7-4.
• Florida Southern would stop the run with a goal at the 7:05 mark, but Rollins would respond with goals from Ali Rogers and a Caroline Gastonguay score, off an assist from Claire Reist.
• The Mocs would tally once more in the quarter, as Rollins entered the break trailing by three, at 9-6.

Third Quarter

• Claire Reist cut the deficit to two, opening the third quarter with a goal for the Tars.
• The Mocs regained their three goal lead with a score, but Reist would tally again, this time off an assist from Abigail Cawley.  However, the 10-8 scoreline was as close as the Tars would get down the stretch run.
• Florida Southern scored twice, before Fahey and Abigail Cawley connected for the Tars ninth goal, as the teams entered the final 15 minutes in a 12-9 battle.

Fourth Quarter

• Rollins comeback hopes were dashed by a five goal run from the Mocs to open the fourth quarter, as Florida Southern grew their lead to 17-9.
• The Gastonguay sisters connected to stop the Tars' scoring drought, with Caroline feeding Charlotte with just under six minutes left to play.
• Sophia Schindel tallied her first collegiate point, assisting Shannon Polk for her first goal of the year, as the Tars made the score 17-11, but that it was too little for the Tars as the final second ticked off the clock.

UP NEXT:
Rollins awaits their NCAA Tournament fate. The NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday, May 8.
 
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