The No. 4 University of Tampa Men's Lacrosse Team Will Host Tusculum College in Home Opener
Tampa has won the previous two matchups between the schools.
TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 4 University of Tampa men's lacrosse team will host Tusculum College in its home opener on Sunday, at 12 p.m. The meeting marks the third matchup between the schools, Tampa having won the previous two.
The Matchup: No. 4 University of Tampa (0-0) vs. Tusculum College (0-0)
- In the last meeting, on February 14, 2016, senior Conor Whipple and sophomore Andrew Kew led UT with 5 goals each. Of the returning goal keepers, Bryan Karn and A.J. Arnold only gave up 3 goals against the Pioneers. The Spartans beat the Pioneers 17-9.
Date/Time: Sunday, February 5 at 12 p.m.
Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex | Tampa, Fla.
Last Time Out: Tampa took a 13-10 loss in the NCAA Semifinals to the No. 2 ranked Limestone College Saints. Now a sophomore, Andrew Kew blasted five goals in his semifinal debut, finishing the year with 62 goals in his first collegiate campaign. Senior Conor Whipple finished the semifinal contest with two assists and a goal to set the new single-season mark for both points and assists with 96 and 50, respectively.
About the Spartans: The Spartans finished the 2016 season with an overall record of 15-3. After falling short in the semifinal, UT is hungry for another national championship title run. Going into the 2017 season, the Spartans are led offensively by attackers Andrew Kew and Conor Whipple with 62 and 46 goals respectively. Conor Whipple, a 2016 USILA second team All-American and 2016 Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year, also led the team in assists last year totaling 50 on the season. Additionally, the University of Tampa Spartans return seniors Jake Schmidt and Marty Heyn. Schmidt was a 2016 USILA third team All-American, and Heyn was a 2016 USILA honorable mention.
About the Pioneers: The Pioneers return two of their three leading point scorers from the 2016 season. Sophomore Dallas Wade with 32 total goals in the 2016 season, and sophomore Chris Ryan with 23 total goals in the 2016 season. Tusculum finished the 2016 season with an overall record of 5-10.
Rankings: The University of Tampa men's lacrosse team was selected as the No. 4 squad in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association/Nike Preseason Coaches Poll. The Spartans hauled in 297 points after reaching the 2016 NCAA Division II Semifinals just a season ago. Taking the top spot is reigning national champions LeMoyne, as the Dolphins received all 18 first place votes. Runner up Limestone sits No. 2 while Merrimack garnered 322 points to pick up the No. 3 ranking.
Entering this match, the Spartans have been ranked in the top ten for 37 consecutive weeks. This dates back to their 2014 season.
Tickets: Tickets for are $5 for adults, senior citizens and coaches. Children under 12 will be admitted free. UT students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with a valid student ID.
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