McMahan Nets Hat Trick as Spartans Down Grizzlies

ALAMOSA, Colo. - Joey McMahan netted a hat trick, including the game-winner, as the University of Tampa men's lacrosse team defeated Adams State 5-4 Thursday afternoon at ASU Lacrosse Field. With the win the Spartans improve to 11-5, while the Grizzlies fall to 3-10.

Tampa struck first as McMahan scored an unassisted goal to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. Adams State responded scoring back-to-back goals within a minute of each other to give the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead after the first quarter.

The score remained 2-1 until just over two minutes left in the second quarter when Jonathan Franzese found Blake Pfohl for the equalizer. The Spartans scored once more before halftime as Jon McGowan found McMahan for the man-down goal to give Tampa a 3-2 lead at half.

The Spartans defense stepped up in the third quarter, led by goalie Joseph Fiorucci who made five of his nine saves in the period. The Grizzlies scored the lone goal of the third quarter to even the score 3-3.

Tampa's offensive came out firing in the fourth quarter outshooting Adams State 9-4. Two minutes into the quarter Franzese found Kevin Castle, in transition, for a goal to give the Spartans a 4-3 lead. After a Grizzlies penalty, Greg Griffo connected with McMahan for man-up goal to extend Tampa's lead to 5-3 with 11:11 left in the game. Mike Telles netted a goal, his third of the game, for the 5-4 final.

The Spartans will wrap up their two-game trip to Colorado Saturday in their regular season finale when they play Colorado Mesa at 3 p.m.

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