Box Score TAMPA, Fla., March 21, 2026 – The University of South Florida women's lacrosse team secured a 9–7 victory over JMU (RPI: 21) on Saturday afternoon at Corbett Stadium, handing the Dukes their first conference loss since April 13, 2024, and marking the highest RPI-ranked opponent South Florida has defeated in program history.
 
South Florida (6–2) jumped out to an early lead in the opening quarter, with Ava Uphues striking twice to give the Bulls a 2–0 advantage. USF's defense held JMU scoreless in the first period while limiting the Dukes to just two shots.
 
JMU responded in the second quarter, using a 5–2 run to briefly take a 5–4 lead. The Bulls answered late in the half, as Sofia Chepenik converted a free-position opportunity to even the score at 5–5 heading into the break.
 
South Florida regained control in the third quarter, opening the period with back-to-back goals from Kaitlyn Tartaglione and Julia Huxtable. Elise Grissett added another to extend the lead to 8–6 as the Bulls outscored JMU 3–1 in the frame.
 
After JMU cut the deficit to one early in the fourth, Grissett delivered the dagger with her fourth goal of the game on a free-position shot to seal the 9–7 win for South Florida.
 
Grissett led all scorers with four goals and an assist, while Uphues added two goals. Chepenik, Huxtable, and Tartaglione each contributed a goal, and Maggie Newton paced the offense with two assists. Goalkeeper Natalie Eastwood recorded eight saves in the win
 
 
Note-A-Bulls:

• Statement Win – South Florida handed JMU just its second American Conference loss all-time and first since April 13, 2024 (vs. No. 9 Florida).
• Historic Win – JMU entered the matchup ranked No. 21 in RPI, marking the highest RPI-ranked opponent South Florida has defeated in program history.
• Offensive Efficiency – USF outshot JMU 27–19 and converted three free-position opportunities.
• Draw Control Advantage – The Bulls controlled possession with a 12–6 edge in draw controls.

 
UP NEXT
South Florida returns to non-conference play at Corbett Stadium, hosting Liberty on April 2 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
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About USF Women's Lacrosse
Entering its second season, the University of South Florida women's lacrosse program builds on a historic inaugural year that quickly established the Bulls as a contender in the American Athletic Conference. South Florida opened its first-ever season on Feb. 7, 2025, with a 19–6 win over Kennesaw State, setting the State of Florida regular-season attendance record as 2,386 fans filled Corbett Stadium. The Bulls went on to finish the 2025 season with a 13–5 record and earned a place in the American Conference Championship in their inaugural season, ultimately finishing as the league's runner-up. South Florida also drew more than 10,000 total fans to Corbett Stadium during the season. USF named Mindy McCord, an eight-time conference coach of the year, as the program's first head coach in May 2022. McCord arrived in Tampa with 240 career wins and a proven record of building successful programs after launching and leading Jacksonville University's women's lacrosse team for its first 13 seasons. During her tenure at JU, she guided the Dolphins to 21 regular-season and conference tournament titles, eight NCAA Tournament appearances, and back-to-back Sweet Sixteen berths while developing 13 All-Americans, 81 all-conference selections, and 13 conference Player of the Year honorees. South Florida plays a fast-paced, high-scoring style influenced by the early 1990s Loyola Marymount men's basketball fast break. That approach ranked among the national leaders in shots, points per game, and scoring margin during McCord's tenure at Jacksonville and continues to shape the Bulls' offensive identity heading into year two.
 
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