USF Women’s Lacrosse Advances to Championship
NORFOLK, MAY 1, 2025 – The University of South Florida (USF) women’s lacrosse team secured a thrilling 14-12 victory over East Carolina University (ECU), propelling them into the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship scheduled for Saturday, May 3, against James Madison University.
This monumental win puts the Bulls in a position to potentially become only the second team in NCAA history to clinch a conference championship in their inaugural season, following High Point University’s achievement in 2011. A championship victory would also grant USF an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament, making them the first squad to accomplish this in its debut season.
Game Highlights
- USF led 8-4 after the first quarter, but ECU managed to equalize at halftime.
- The teams continued to exchange leads until ECU took a 12-11 advantage with 7:53 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- Kaitlyn Tartaglione leveled the game with a free-position goal.
- Bailey Morris then took charge, scoring twice within the last three minutes to secure the win for the Bulls.
Key Statistics
- USF outshot ECU 33-26, with 29 of those shots on target.
- The Bulls dominated draw controls, winning 19 to 11.
- Both teams were flawless on their clear attempts: USF (14-of-14) and ECU (10-of-10).
- Notably, USF maintained a streak of scoring 11 or more goals in all but one match this season.
Individual Performances
The scoring was led by a quartet of players: Kaitlyn Tartaglione, Bailey Morris, Kali Cleary, and Juliana George, each contributing three points. Maggie Newton added two goals, while Paige Pagano made six saves to limit ECU to 12 goals. Kali Cleary excelled in draw controls, leading the Bulls with five.
Upcoming Championship Match
USF, seeded No. 2, will face off against No. 1 seed James Madison University in the AAC Championship Final on May 3, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+.
Follow the Bulls
For the latest updates on USF Women’s Lacrosse, follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
About USF Women’s Lacrosse
The University of South Florida welcomed women’s lacrosse into its athletic department in November 2021, launching the program officially on February 7, 2025, when they achieved a resounding 19-6 victory over KSU. The match broke the State of Florida’s regular season attendance record with 2,386 fans.
The team is led by Mindy McCord, an accomplished coach with a track record of 240 career wins and multiple conference titles. Under her guidance, USF aims to build a fast-paced, high-scoring offense reminiscent of the early 1990s Loyola Marymount men’s basketball team.
– #GoBulls –
