5th Ranked Tampa Wins Overtime Thriller at Home

TAMPA, Fla. – The No.5 ranked University of Tampa Spartans men's lacrosse team win overtime thriller at home.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 5 Tampa 11, Westminster (Utah) 10

Records: Tampa Spartans (8-1), Westminster (Utah) Griffins (3-4)

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

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST QUARTER

The Griffins would score just two minutes into the matchup, testing the Spartans early. The Spartans would find themselves in a two goal deficit with just over eight minutes left to play. Luke McAnaney would net back to back goals to put the Spartans on the board and tie the game at two. McAnaney completed his first natural hattrick of the season, after netting his third goal, to put Tampa in their first lead of the game. The Griffins tied the matchup once again just two minutes later, fighting the Spartans hard. Harry Kilkowski capitalized off of a pass from McAnaney to put the Spartans back in the lead. After an intense first quarter, Tampa came away with a one goal lead.

07:13 – Luke McAnaney, unassisted

07:00 Luke McAnaney, assisted by Canyon Birch

05:06 – Luke McAnaney, assisted by Daniel Fitzpatrick

02:49 – Harry Kilkowski, assisted by Luke McAnaney

Score: 4-3 Tampa

SECOND QUARTER

The battle between the two teams would continue in the opening minutes of the second quarter. Netminder Blake Ulmer made an outstanding save in the early minutes to keep Tampa in the lead. With just under 10 and a half minutes to go before the half, the Griffins tied the game at four a piece. The intense matchup continued to be tied for the following nine minutes, causing Westminster to call a timeout. The Griffins netted a last minute goal to put them in the lead at the half.

Score: 5-4 Westminster

THIRD QUARTER

The second half would open with Westminster scoring first once again, which would put Tampa in a two goal deficit. Canyon Birch found Nick Papa in front of the net, cutting the Griffins' lead to one goal. The Griffins turned right around and got one, gaining their two goal lead back. Tampa cut the Westminster lead to one goal behind Birch's first of the matchup. With just over four minutes left in the quarter, the Griffins netted one more, leading with a score of 8-6. Tampa netted three quick, unanswered goals to gain a one goal lead headed into the final 15 minutes.

11:01 – Nick Papa, assisted by Canyon Birch

7:50 – Canyon Birch, unassisted

02:34 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

02:05 – Luke McAnaney, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

01:58 – Harry Kilkowski, assisted by Luke McAnaney

Score: 9-8 Tampa

FOURTH QUARTER

The final 15 minutes began with a sense of urgency for both teams. The dynamic duo of McAnaney and Kilkowski struck again, putting the Spartans ahead by two with just over six minutes to play. The Griffins had an answer soon after though, cutting the Tampa lead back to one. Westminster tied the game at 10 with just over two minutes left in the matchup, sending this battle to overtime.

06:33 – Luke McAnaney, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

Score: 10-10 Tie

OVERTIME

The lone, game winning goal was scored by Birch, after Ulmer made a game saving stop on the other end of the field.

02:21 – Canyon Birch, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

Final: 11-10 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Luke McAnaney recorded a natural hat-trick in the first quarter
• 5 different Spartans got on the scoresheet
• Harry Kilkowski recorded a team leading 3 assists
• Blake Ulmer recorded 14 saves, including one in overtime to secure the Tampa win

UP NEXT: The Spartans go on the road to take on Rollins on Saturday, April 1st at 1:00p.m.