Tampa Goes Back to Back

Tampa Goes Back-to-Back

The University of Tampa Women’s Lacrosse Team captured its second consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship this season, once again defeating Adelphi in the title game. Under the leadership of Coach Kelly Gallagher, the program has made remarkable strides since its inception in 2016—and all signs point to the Spartans remaining championship contenders for years to come.

So how did Tampa rise to the top of Division II in under a decade?
The answer lies in the transfer portal. Eight of Tampa’s key contributors this season began their college careers elsewhere before finding a home—and championship success—with the Spartans.

• Peyton Howell continued her dominance following a stellar 2024 campaign. A native of Towson, Maryland, Howell began her collegiate career at the University of Louisville before transferring to Tampa. This season, she was named the IWLCA Attacker of the Year, IWLCA Player of the Year, Sunshine State Conference Attacker of the Year, and MVP of the National Championship. She finished the season with an impressive 116 points (93 goals, 23 assists), including four goals in the title game.

• Mary Kate Person built on a strong start at Tampa with an even more prolific 2025 season. After transferring from Long Island University (LIU) following her freshman year, Person tallied 51 points (42 goals, 9 assists), collected 25 ground balls, caused seven turnovers, and earned 35 draw controls. She notched three points (2 goals, 1 assist) and two draw controls in the championship game.

• Sophie Wrisk concluded her collegiate career as one of the most impactful players in program history. A Catonsville, Maryland native, Wrisk started her career at the University of Maryland but transferred to Tampa seeking more playing time—and delivered. She was named MVP of both the 2024 National Championship and Sunshine State Conference Championship. Despite battling injury this season, she finished third on the team in scoring with 50 points (40 goals, 10 assists), adding two goals in the title game.

• Sarah Engle made a big impression in her lone season at Tampa. The Ocean City, Maryland native transferred after a four-year career at Loyola. Overcoming a late-season injury, Engle was twice named SSC Offensive Player of the Week and once USA Lacrosse Magazine Player of the Week. She ended the season with 46 points (39 goals, 7 assists), including two goals in the championship game.

• Lexi Waters anchored the defense for the second straight year after transferring from Florida. The New York native was named SSC Defensive Player of the Year, compiling an outstanding stat line: 59 ground balls, 50 caused turnovers, 110 draw controls, and four points (3 goals, 1 assist). Her performance in the title game included three ground balls, three caused turnovers, and five draw controls.

• Katie DeShan, a Pennsylvania native and Butler transfer, has been a consistent presence on the backline since arriving at Tampa. This season, she recorded 27 ground balls and nine caused turnovers on her way to a second straight national title.

• Delaney Stahrr, also from New York, brought championship pedigree to Tampa after winning a national title with the University of Indianapolis in 2022. A starter in every game since transferring for the 2024 season, she notched 10 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers this year, including one ground ball in the championship game.

• Grace Lichtenberger, a Colorado native, joined the Spartans this season after starting her career at the University of Oregon. Though not as prolific on the stat sheet, she played a key role in the midfield, starting 16 of 22 games and contributing nine points (8 goals, 1 assist), 10 ground balls, and five caused turnovers. She added a goal, a ground ball, and a caused turnover in the title game.

Tampa’s 2025 roster also featured transfers Paige Borkowski (Youngstown State), Christina Sato (University of Indianapolis), and Alexis Abe (UMBC). With more talent entering the transfer portal after this past season, the Spartans are well-positioned to reload and make a run at a third consecutive title in 2026.