No.1 Spartans Win Close Matchup Against No.16 Florida Tech to Host SSC Finals

TAMPA, FL. – The No. 1 ranked University of Tampa Spartans men's lacrosse team defeats No.16 Florida Tech to Host the SSC Finals on Sunday

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 1 Tampa 15, No.16 Florida Tech 9

Records: Tampa Spartans (17-0) (8-0 SSC), Florida Tech Panthers (10-6) (5-3 SSC)

Location: Naimoli Family Athletic Complex || Tampa, FL

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST QUARTER

The Spartans would open the game with Harry Kilkowski netting the first goal of the contest just four minutes into the quarter. The Panthers answered, scoring three unanswered goals, causing the Spartans to reevaluate their game plan. The two evenly matched, conference foes battled it out in the opening minutes, but the Panthers would find the back of the net four times. With a late goal by Luke McAnaney, the Spartans cut into the Panthers' lead headed into the second quarter. The Spartans scored as follows:

13:36– Harry Kilkowski, unassisted

00:06 – Luke McAaney, assisted by Daniel Fitzpatrick

Score: 4-2 Florida Tech

SECOND QUARTER

The second quarter began similarly to the first, with both teams battling in this post season matchup. The Panther opened the scoring for the quarter, but Cole Willard had an answer of his own. The Panthers continued to give the Spartans a run for their money before the half. Colin White netted his first of the game with one second left in the quarter to keep the Spartans in the game. The Spartans scored as follows:

12:59 – Cole Willard, unassisted

11:10 - Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

01:01 – Colin White, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

Score: 7-5 Florida Tech

THIRD QUARTER

The Spartans had some ground to make up after the first half. After Owen Miller opened the scoring, the Spartan offense came to life. White netted his second of the game after connecting with Kilkowski and sparked the surge of Tampa goals. The Panthers would be held to only two goals in this quarter, due to the outstanding Spartan defense. Fitzpatrick, White, and McAnaney each netted more second goals in the second half to put the Spartans in the lead. Behind Miller's second goal with six seconds left in the third, the Spartans excellent play in the quarter would earn them the lead headed into the final 15 minutes. The Spartans scored as follows:

13:10– Owen Miller, unassisted

12:11 – Colin White, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

10:12 – Nick Papa, assisted by Colin White

08:27 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

03:43 – Ethan Paduch, unassisted

01:10 – Owen Miller, unassisted

03:43 – Ethan Paduch, unassisted

00:06 - Luke McAnaney, assisted by Owen Miller

Score: 12-9 Tampa

FOURTH QUARTER
The Spartans carried over their momentum from the third quarter with McAnaney finishing off his hat trick one minute into the quarter. Both Fitzpatrick and White also finished off their hat tricks to cap off the game. The Spartans resilience and hard work punched their ticket to the SSC Finals. The Spartans scored as follows:

14:02 – Luke McAnaney, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

13:09 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, assisted by Colin White

09:43 – Colin White, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

Score: 15-9 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

The Spartans had three players that netted hat tricks, White (3), McAnaney (3), and Fitzpatrick (3)

Hunter Turner would record a game high 12 ground balls

The Spartans outshot the Panthers 47-40

UP NEXT: The Spartans will host the winner of Florida Southern and Rollins on Sunday for the SSC Finals, TBA.