No. 4 Spartans Take Home Opener Over Tusculum
TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 4 University of Tampa
(2-0) men's lacrosse team won its second game in as many days with
a 14-8 decision over Tusculum College (0-2) on Sunday
afternoon.
The Spartans got off to a quick start, taking a 5-1 lead in the
first period. The advantage was extended to 9-4 at the half as the
Spartans would score three of the final four goals of the first
half.
Head coach Rory Whipple's squad would put the game out of reach in
the third period as the Spartans outscored the Pioneers 5-0 in the
half to head to the final period with a decisive 14-5 advantage.
Tusculum would score four in the final period to come within six of
Tampa.
The duo of Conor Whipple and Chris Vetter accounted for three goals
apiece as Whipple also added a pair of assists. Through two games,
the All-American sophomore has now totaled six goals and four
assists with a pair of hat tricks. Zak Goldbach also added three
goals off the bench for the Spartans.
Also scoring a goal for UT were Nick Ferreiro, Bobby Calhoun, Matt
Bilak, Andrew Mehr and Sean Giampietro. Calhoun, Giampietro and
Justin Fitzpatrick also added an assist apiece.
Ferreiro finished 12-for-20 in the faceoff category as defender
Marty Heyn caused two turnovers. Ferreiro also scooped up seven
ground balls to lead all Spartans.
Andrew Failla started in goal and was credited with 14 saves.
Thomas Brill also save action, playing the final 6:31 in the
cage.
Tampa will now focus on a matchup with No. 1 and defending national
champion Limestone University on Saturday at 1 p.m., inside the
Naimoli Family Athletic & Intramural Complex. Live stats and a
broadcast will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.
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