Early Deficit Too Much to Overcome as Spartans Fall 13-9

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. - The University of Tampa men's lacrosse team could not overcome an early deficit as it fell to fifth-ranked New York Institute of Technology 13-9 Wednesday afternoon at President's Stadium. With the win NYIT improves to 4-1 overall, while Tampa fell to 5-3.

The Bears struck first scoring the four straight goals to start the game to take a 4-0 lead with 7:37 left in the opening period.

The Spartans responded as Nick Ferreiro connected with Greg Griffo for a man-up goal to cut the deficit to 4-1. Minutes later, Griffo's shot struck the back of the cage to cut the deficit in half with 2:53 left in the first quarter. NYIT scored back-to-back goals to close out the first quarter with a 6-2 lead.

Tampa struck first in the second quarter as Trevor Calleja won the opening faceoff. On the ensuing possession Brian Patton netted a goal, 30 seconds into the quarter. Minutes later, Matt Bilak picked up a ground ball off a M.J. Lorenzo shot and put it back for the goal to cut the lead to 6-4, which was the closest the Spartans came. The Bears had three players combine to score five straight goals to take an 11-4 lead into half.

The Spartans came out firing in the second half outshooting NYIT 30-7. Ten minutes in to the third quarter, Jake Schmidt tallied his fifth goal of the season to cut the deficit to 11-5. The score remained that way until the closing seconds of the quarter, when Cory Triola scored his third goal of the game giving the Bears a 12-5 lead.

Kyle Hemrick led the Spartans rally in the fourth quarter, scoring two goals and assisting one other as Tampa cut the deficit to 12-8 with 3:12 remaining. The two teams traded goals for the 13-9 final.

Hemrick led the Spartans with two goals and two assists in the game, while Griffo and Schmidt each netted a pair of goals. Griffo leads Tampa with 19 goals on the season, including six multi-goal games.

Jon McGowan led the Spartans defense with four caused turnovers, while picking up three ground balls. Eric Dance picked up four ground balls in the contest.

The Spartans will return to action Saturday, March 16, when they to travel to Shirley, New York to face fifth-ranked Dowling. Game time will be 1 p.m.

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