Tampa Men's Lacrosse is Set to Host the Westminster College Griffins

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 9 University of Tampa men's lacrosse team will host the Westminster College Griffins on Tuesday, at 8 p.m. This meeting marks the first matchup between the two schools. 

The Matchup: No. 9 University of Tampa (5-3) vs. Westminster College (1-1)

Date/Time: Tuesday, March 14 at 8 p.m. 

Last Time Out: Tampa fell to the No. 11 Belmont Abbey Crusaders 11-9. Offensively, the Spartans were led by sophomore Andrew Kew, who recorded three goals. Following Kew, there were three different players who scored twice for the Spartans, Matt Vetter, Chris Vetter, and Conor Whipple. Charlie Cummins led the Spartans defensively by causing two of the Spartans' six caused turnovers. Additionally, senior goal keeper A.J. Arnold recorded eight saves of the Crusaders total 19 shots.

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. 

This season the Spartans are led offensively by attackers Kew and Whipple with 25 and 12 goals respectively. Whipple, a 2016 USILA second team All-American and 2016 Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year, is also second in team assists with 8 this season. The University of Tampa Spartans also 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 Griffins: The Griffins are currently 1-1 overall, 1-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). The leading scores this season for the Griffins are Jake Berard with six goals, and Troy Vance with four goals. Sophomore Chase Flinders takes most of the teams face-offs, having won eleven out of his recorded thirty. Conner McFarlane returns as Westminster's starting goal keeper. McFarlane has recorded 19 saves on the 2017 season and his average save percentage is 44.2%. 

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. However, after losing on February 18, to the No. 17 Lindenwood Lions, and on February 25, to the No. 2 Limestone Saints, the Spartans have dropped to No. 9. 

Entering this match, the Spartans have been ranked in the top ten for 43 consecutive weeks. This dates back to their 2014 season.  

Milestone Within Reach: Sophomore Andrew Kew currently sits at 96 career goals, just four away from 100. Kew is currently the second all-time goal leader, just behind senior Conor Whipple, for the University of Tampa men's lacrosse team and will be the second Spartan to reach this milestone. If Kew continues on the pace he has set, he will become the all-time goal leader by his senior season. 

Series History: This meeting marks the first matchup between the University of Tampa, and Westminster College. 

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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