NORFOLK, MAY 1, 2025 – The University of South Florida women's lacrosse team defeated ECU 14-12 to advance to the AAC Championship this Saturday, May 3, against James Madison University.
 
The Bulls can be the second team in NCAA history to win a conference championship in their inaugural season (High Point University, 2011). A win would earn them an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament, becoming the first team to ever do so in their first season of play.

"Our players have faith and hold the rope for each other with love to serve each other," Head Coach Mindy McCord said. "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." The power of even a small amount of faith can achieve great things and make all things possible."
 
Instant Recap:
• South Florida led 8-4 after the first quarter, but ECU battled back to tie the game at eight by halftime.
• The Bulls and Pirates then exchanged one-goal leads, with ECU going up 12-11 at the 7:53 minute mark in the fourth quarter.
• Kaitlyn Tartaglione ended a 2:34 second possession by burying a free-position shot to tie the game again.
• With 2:34 on the clock, Bailey Morris broke her defender's ankles with a spin move and finish to give the Bulls the lead again. Morris then added another goal with 0:55 seconds remaining to clinch the game and send the Bulls to the AAC Championship.
 
Key Stats:
• South Florida outshot ECU 33-26, with 29 of those 33 shots coming on goal.
• USF won the draw control battle 19 to 11 on the night.
• The Bulls (14-of-14) and Pirates (10-of-10) were both perfect on clear attempts.
• South continued their streak of scoring 11+ goals in all but one game this season.
 
Notables:
• Kaitlyn Tartaglione, Bailey Morris, Kali Cleary, and Juliana George were all tied as the Bulls' points leader (three).
• Maggie Newton scored two goals on three shots.
• Paige Pagano made six saves on the day, only allowing 12 goals.
• Kali Cleary led the Bulls with five draw controls.
 
Up Next:
USF (No. 2 seed) will play James Madison University (No. 1 seed) in the AAC Championship Tournament Final on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN+.
 
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About USF Women's Lacrosse
The University of South Florida announced the addition of women's lacrosse to its now 21-sport varsity athletics department in November of 2021. Fast forward to Feb. 7, 2025, the program embarked on its inaugural season in a 19-6 win over KSU, setting the State of Florida's regular season attendance record (2,386 fans). The Bulls named eight-time conference coach of the year Mindy McCord to lead the program in May of 2022. McCord, who came to USF with 240 career wins, earned 21 regular season and conference tournament titles at Jacksonville University. She led the program to eight NCAA appearances after launching and leading the Dolphins' program over its first 13 years. She developed 13 All-Americans, 81 all-conference selections, and 13 conference Player of the Year honorees during that span, departing JU following to back Sweet Sixteen berths. USF runs a fast-paced, high-scoring offense influenced by the early 1990s Loyola Marymount men's basketball record-setting fast break, which ranked among the national leaders in shots, points per game, and scoring margin numerous seasons during McCord's tenure at JU.

– #GoBulls –