SALEM, VA -- An early offensive onslaught from defending national champion Tampa proved to be too much for the Adelphi women's lacrosse team on Saturday.
The top-seeded Spartans scored the first four goals in just over four minutes and had a seven-goal advantage at the end of the first quarter in their 15-9 victory over the third-seeded Panthers in the Division II national championship game at Roanoke College's Donald J. Kerr Stadium.
In what was a rematch of last season's title game, Tampa (21-1) secured its second straight national title and denied Adelphi (19-4) a chance to win its 10th in program history. The Panthers' last title came in 2019.
"They were ready to go at the opening whistle, and we weren't," Adelphi coach Pat McCabe said. "We're dangerous when we play fast and they wouldn't let us."
Before many had a chance to settle into their seats, Tampa senior Sophi Wrisk found herself open in front of the net and scored at the 13:24 mark of the first quarter to make it 1-0.
Three different Spartans followed with goals over the next two and half minutes to extend the advantage to 4-0 with 10:59 remaining in the opening quarter.
Following an Adelphi timeout, the Panthers finally got their offense going when sophomore Ashley Kolomechuk scored the first of her team-high three goals at the 9:57 mark to cut the deficit to 4-1. Tampa, however, responded with a 5-1 run through the remainder of the period and had a 9-2 lead after the first 15 minutes.
The momentum started to change when Adelphi made a switch at goalkeeper midway through the first quarter as starter Madison Marchetta was replaced by junior Jillian McFadden (13 saves).
McFadden, who hadn't played in the NCAA tournament before Saturday, held the Spartans to just three goals over the last 20 minutes of the first half, but Adelphi still trailed 11-3 at the break.
"Jill was ready, and we knew she would be ready," McCabe said. "She's a pro."
After halftime, the Panthers' offense began to provide some support for McFadden. They opened the third quarter on a 3-0 run, capped by a goal from Kolomechuk with six minutes left to bring Adelphi within 11-6.
With things looking up for the Panthers, Tampa scored a backbreaking goal with 4:33 left in the third when the Spartans' Josie Bullock secured a loose ball at the net and scored with under 10 seconds remaining on the shot clock to give Tampa a 12-6 lead.
The Panthers' Alexandra Leggio scored back-to-back goals in a 61-second stretch between the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth to make it 13-8, but it wasn't enough. Kolomechuk, Amanda Lee and Sonny Lionetti represented Adelphi on the All-Tournament Team.
"It was a great year for us," McCabe said. "I'm tremendously proud of this group. They fought and clawed all year long just like they did today."