The game of lacrosse, as played by girls and women, is an extremely complex sport which rewards previous experience — not only from its players, but from entire teams.
History is not kind to teams who are making their first attempt at winning an NCAA national championship. I remember one phase, in the late 80s, when a pattern seemed to develop where the runner-up in one particular season would win the national final the next year.
North Carolina, having made a Final Four in only its second season (1996), didn’t win its first national championship until 17 years later. Florida, in only its second season of existence, was a disallowed goal (and perhaps one or two Newtons’ worth of tensile stretch) from playing for a national championship.
Syracuse has had several strong campaigns since starting its program, but have never won the title despite having motivation, legendary coaching, and top players. Boston College, of course, is playing in its seventh straight national title match tomorrow. It would be a remarkable achievement but for the fact that the Eagles have only won one of them thus far.
Which brings us to today’s NCAA Division II national championship game featuring nine-time titlists Adelphi and a team in its first national title game, the University of Tampa. Tampa is in its 10th season and had only won one NCAA Tournament game in its history before a magical run this year, culminating with today’s 13-8 win, gaining the Spartans their first national championship.
Tampa jumped on the Panthers early, taking a three-goal lead from the opening draw and extending their dominance, especially at the defensive end. Tampa also took advantage of the noon start and 103-degree turf temperatures, seemingly playing with endless energy.
Much credit goes to leading scorers Sarah Hinkle and Gracie Columbo, both seniors. But give great credit to Cece Columbo at the draw, and close defenders Lexi Waters, Delaney Stahrr, Alyssa Romano, Katie DeShan, and Grace Gilmore, who hurried the Adelphi attackers and hounded them into mistakes.
Tampa showed today that it was not too big for the moment, something a lot of contending lacrosse teams have not yet learned.
