The No. 4 Universtiy of Tampa Men's Lacrosse Team Will Host Queens University

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 4 University of Tampa men's lacrosse team will host The Queens University of Charlotte Royals on Saturday, at 1 p.m. The meeting marks the third matchup between the schools, Tampa having won the previous two.

The Matchup: No. 4 University of Tampa (1-0) vs. Queens University (0-0)

• In the last meeting, on February 7, 2015, now seniors Chris Vetter and Conor Whipple led UT with three goals and two assists each. Of the returning defenders, Marty Heyn blocked the Royals from scoring on three different occasions. The Spartans beat the Royals 20-4.

Date/Time: Saturday, February 11 at 1 p.m.

Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex | Tampa, Fla.

Last Time Out: Tampa defeated the Tusculum Pioneers 15-8 in it's home opener on February 5. Sophomore Andrew Kew led the Spartans to victory with five goals and one assist, followed by senior Conor Whipple who had three goals and three assists. In the matchup with the Pioneers, senior goal keeper A.J. Arnold had 14 saves. Additionally, Sam Watts won 17 out of his 20 total face-offs, and scored one goal earning him the SSC Specialist of the Week honors.

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 Royals: The Royals return two of their five leading point scorers from the 2016 season. Sophomore Garrett Sadler with 49 total goals in the 2016 season, and sophomore Jesse Oliver with 27 total goals in the 2016 season. Queens finished the 2016 season with an overall record of 11-7, 6-2 in the South Atlantic Conference.

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.

Series History: Tampa takes the sweep, with a 2-0 record against the Royals in the all-time series. The first time the teams met (February of 2014), the game was played in Charlotte, N.C. at the Queens Sports Complex.

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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