Top 10 Spartans Dominate Conference Foe Saint Leo at Home

TAMPA, Fla. – The No.9 ranked University of Tampa Spartans men's lacrosse team dominates in final home game of the regular season.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 9 Tampa 20, Saint Leo 10

Records: Tampa Spartans (11-2, 5-1 SSC), Saint Leo Lions (8-5, 3-2 SSC)

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

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST QUARTER

The Lions would waste no time testing the Spartans, scoring off the opening faceoff seconds into the matchup. Freshman Jackson Bashaw got the Spartans on the board to tie the match up at one apiece with just over twelve minutes left. Veteran attackman Charlie Bolesh netted a hard shot off the post to put Tampa in the lead just three minutes later. Tampa continued to build their lead after Owen Miller connected with Luke McAnaney. Miller found another teammate in Canyon Birch net front, causing Saint Leo to call a timeout. Tampa's offense would continue to explode, allowing them to head into the second quarter with the lead.

12:21 – Jackson Bashaw, unassisted

09:09 – Charlie Bolesh, unassisted

06:56 – Luke McAnaney, assisted by Owen Miller

04:22 – Canyon Birch, assisted by Owen Miller

02:43 – Charlie Bolesh, unassisted

Score: 5-1 Tampa

SECOND QUARTER

The Spartans came out swinging in the opening minutes of the second quarter, with Daniel Fitzpatrick netting his first of the matchup. Miller scored a goal of his own with just over 10 minutes left before the half, extending the Tampa lead to six goals. Bolesh finished off his hat trick with just under six minutes left to play in the quarter. Saint Leo got one back to cut the Tampa lead back down to seven goals. The Lions scored another late goal, bringing life back into their sideline. Saint Leo netted one more late goal to cut the Tampa lead to five goals heading into the half.

14:24 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

10:12 – Owen Miller, unassisted

05:45 – Charlie Bolesh, unassisted

04:30 – Ronan Sanchez, unassisted

Score: 9-4 Tampa

THIRD QUARTER

The second half would open with Hunter Turner winning the opening faceoff and then running it down the field to score a goal of his own. The Lions responded right back with two consecutive goals, cutting the Spartan lead to four. Tampa got one back behind Braden Williams' goal with just over 11 minutes left in the quarter. The duo of Birch and Miller struck again on a man advantage, to double up on the Lions 12-6. The Spartans netted five consecutive goals to end the quarter.

14:53 – Hunter Turner, unassisted

11:33 – Braden Williams, assisted by Trejan Cannon

07:12 – Canyon Birch, assisted by Owen Miller

03:01 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

02:21 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, assisted by Charlie Bolesh

01:36 – Harry Kilkowski, assisted by Daniel Fitzpatrick

00:44 – Canyon Birch, assisted by Jackson Bashaw

00:14 – Harry Kilkowski, assisted by Daniel Fitzpatrick

Score: 17-6 Tampa

FOURTH QUARTER

The final 15 minutes began similarly to the previous two, with Fitzpatrick netting an early goal. Sophomore Patrick Selhorn capitalized off a pass from Matthew Beddow to keep the Spartans in a dominant lead. The Lions got one back with just over 10 minutes left to play in the game. With just under six minutes left, Saint Leo netted one more, cutting the Tampa lead to eleven. The Lions' late offensive push was too little too late, as the Spartans' dominant performance earned them the win.

14:29 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

13:00 – Patrick Selhorn, assisted by Matthew Beddow

01:10 – Tate Watts, assisted by Nick Papa

Final: 20-10 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Three different Spartans netted a hat trick or more, Birch (3), Bolesh (3), and Fitzpatrick (4).
• 16 different Spartans got on the scoresheet
• Blake Ulmer recorded 19 saves 
• Freshman Jackson Bashaw made his first start as a Spartan tonight

UP NEXT: The Spartans go back on the road on Saturday to take on conference foe Lynn at 4:15 p.m.