No. 4 Spartans Start off the 2022 Campaign with a win over No. 17 Lynn

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The No. 4 ranked University of Tampa Spartans men's lacrosse started off the season against the No.17 ranked Lynn University Fighting Knights.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 4 Tampa 15, No. 17 Lynn 3

Records: Tampa Spartans (1-0, 1-0 SSC), Lynn Fighting Knights (0-1, 0-1 SSC)

Location: Bobby Campbell Stadium || Boca Raton, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST QUARTER

Tampa would not waste any time getting their season started off right, as Kellen Hoke would get the Spartans on the board first at the 13:14 minute mark. Tampa would tag on another goal moments later, the Spartans would go down a man from an unnecessary roughness call. Lynn would capitalize on this man up situation to make it 2-1. Tampa would take their opportunities and be efficient with them, as Daniel Fitzpatrick would convert a nice shot to the upper right corner of the goal from an assist by Hoke. Tampa would go on to score four straight as they would have eight shots on goal, having an 87.5 shot percentage to end the quarter. Score: Tampa 7-1 

SECOND QUARTER

The second quarter would not be nearly as eventful as the first, both teams would fight a hard quarter going back and forth with both teams being held scoreless until the eight minute mark. As Lynn would get on the board first off a Tampa turnover, Tampa would fight back however. Two quick responses for the Spartans would come from once again Fitzpatrick with 3:40 remaining and the big six footer Nick Papa would hit a rocket from the five hole with just a minute left in the half. Score: 9-2 Tampa

THIRD QUARTER

Tampa would start the second half the same way they started the first, as Tampa would score two in the first opening minute of the game. As Fitzpatrick would complete his hat trick to start the year, with Colin White assisting Ronan Sanchez for the second and final goal for the Spartans in the third quarter, Lynn would get on the board with 5:51 remaining in the quarter. Both teams would battle evenly the rest of the quarter. Score: 11-3 Tampa

FOURTH QUARTER

It would be all Tampa in the final 15 minutes of this game, as Owen Miller would go back to back with two great shots to set the tone early in this quarter for the Spartans. Neil Calkin along with Josh Gallia would end things off for the Spartans with two goals of their own. Score: Final 15-3

INSIDE THE STATS:

• UT would score 3 goals on their first 3 shots to start the game

• Miller and Fitzpatrick would both record hat tricks

• UT would finish with 9 separate players on the goal sheet

• Matthew Beddow would log a team high 4 ground balls

UP NEXT: The Spartans travel to Lakeland to take on Florida Southern next Saturday, January 12th at 1:00 PM

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