Spartans Welcome the No. 16 Lindenwood Lions
The No. 7 University of Tampa Spartans look to defeat the No. 16 Lindenwood Lions on Saturday, March 17th.
TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 7 University of Tampa men's lacrosse team is set to host the No. 16 Lindenwood Lions on Saturday, March 17th at 1:00 p.m.
The Matchup: No. 7 University of Tampa (7-1) vs. No. 16 Lindenwood University (3-2)
Date/Time: Saturday, March 17th at 1:00 p.m.
Location: Naimoli Family Intramural and Athletic Complex | Tampa, Fla.
Last Time Out: The Spartans defeated the No. 10 Belmont Abbey Crusaders by a final score of 13-12. In the matchup, Jake Mosher McGraw had four goals for the Spartans, followed by Andrew Kew and Max Lambert each with two. Lambert also led the Spartans in assists with two. Luke Posner headed Tampa's defense, logging two caused turnovers in addition to picking up a ground ball for the Spartans. Ross Dickerson won 12-16 faceoffs of UT while Alex Patton won 9-12. In the goal, Tampa started with freshman B.J. Borowski who recorded six saves, but then changed to junior Bryan Karn in the fourth, who stated three saves for the Spartans.
About the Spartans: Tampa finished last season 15-5 overall, undefeated in the Sunshine State Conference. Key returners for the Spartans include Andrew Kew, Jake Mosher McGraw, Bryan Wright, Luke Posner, Matt Vetter, and Jack Tyrrell.
Kew, a USILA first-team All-American, All SSC first team selection, and a 2018 USILA Player of the Year Watch List recipient, returns as the Spartans main offensive threat. The Oakville, Ontario native led all of Division II last season with 86 goals, averaging 4.3 goals per game. In his 2018 campaign, the junior currently sits with 21 goals and five assists for the Spartans. Also, returning to attack for the Spartans, is the sophomore duo of Mosher McGraw and Wright. All SSC second-team selection, Jake Mosher McGraw was second to Kew with 29 goals last season, including two during the national semifinal matchup. This season Mosher McGraw sits with 15 goals and eight assists. Wright rounds out the Spartans three returning offensive weapons contributing 25 goals and 14 assists last season. Additionally, he was an all SSC freshman team selection. Currently, Wright is second on the team in goals with 19, he also has three assists.
Captain Luke Posner returns for UT for his senior campaign. The Madisonville, La, native was an All SSC second-team selection last season and led the Spartans in ground balls with 46. Additionally, he recorded 20 caused turnovers for UT. This year, Posner leads UT with 10 caused turnovers, and has 15 ground balls for the Spartans. Junior midfielder Matt Vetter, was a SSC All Championship Team selection last season. He is one of the most well-rounded athletes for the Spartans, having recorded 22 goals, 10 assists, and 11 ground balls in 2017. Vetter has started his 2018 run picking up right where he left off, and currently has 11 goals and nine assists for UT. The last key returner is junior Jack Tyrell. Tyrell, an All SSC second-team selection stated 39 ground balls and caused 30 turnovers for the Spartans last season. Currently, Tyrell has 16 ground balls and two caused turnovers for the Spartans.
The Spartans main faceoff specialist this season has been sophomore Ross Dickerson. Dickerson has won 111-146 faceoffs this season in addition to recording 56 ground balls for UT. The sophomore has won SSC Specialist of the Week three times this year, and currently ranks second in the conference in faceoff percentage (.762) as well as ground balls per game (7.0). Finally, this season the Spartans have used freshman B.J. Borowski in the cage. Borowski sits with 61 saves and has a goals-against average of 8.55.
About the Lions: The Lions are currently 3-2 this season, ranked No. 16 according to the USILA Coaches Poll. The Lion's three wins this season have been over Young Harris College 17-11, the University of Montevallo 17-3, and Wheeling Jesuit University 10-8.
The Lions currently have two players leading their offense with 12 goals. #1 Leonard Jones and #29 Colin Domek also have three and two assists respectively. Max Hooc, #24, leads LU in caused turnovers with six. He also has six groundballs for the Lions. Lindenwood's primary faceoff specialist is #30 Joe Shelly. Shelly has won 49-116 faceoffs this season and has also stated 23 ground balls. The Lions starting goalkeeper is #2 Ben Besancenez who has a save percentage of .412 with 35 saves on the season.
Series History (Men's): The Lindenwood University Lions lead the all-time over the University of Tampa Spartans 1-0.
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.