Spartans Come Out Victorious in Conference Battle on the Road

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – No. 3 Tampa survives a close conference battle on the road against Embry-Riddle.

The game would begin with the Eagles breaking the ice first just two minutes into the game. Less than 30 seconds later, Owen Miller would net his 11^th goal of the season to tie the game at one. Canyon Birch would go on to net consecutive goals less than one minute apart to put Tampa in the lead. The Eagles would get one back before Andrew Milani found Jackson Bashaw in front of the net to regain the two-goal lead for Tampa. Milani would go on to score his 25^th goal of the season, cushioning the Spartan lead. Alex Poma and Miller would net late goals to send Tampa into the second quarter with a three-goal lead.

The second quarter began with the Eagles opening the scoring. With just over seven minutes left before the break, Milani would net his second of the game, establishing Tampa's three-goal lead once again. With 24 seconds before the half, Miller would finish off his hat trick, sending the Spartans into halftime with a four-goal lead.

The second half began with Embry-Riddle netting the first goal once again. The Eagles would go on to net one more before Birch netted his second of the game off a pass from Poma. Embry-Riddle would net three consecutive goals to tie the game at 10 with just over five minutes left in the quarter. After a faceoff win by Poma, Birch would finish his hattrick off a pass from Bashaw to put Tampa in the lead once again. Miller found the back of the net for the fourth time in the game to build the Spartans' lead back up two headed into the final 15 minutes.

The final 15 minutes began with the Eagles finding the back of the net, making it a one-goal game once again. Embry-Riddle would score again soon after to tie the game at 12. Charlie Bolesh and Birch would net back-to-back goals to place Tampa in the lead once again. The Eagles would respond soon after, keeping the game within one. The duo of Bolesh and Birch would record another goal before the Eagles answered to keep the game close. Birch would net three consecutive goals, with an assist on the first one from teammate Mitchell Pfeiffer to secure the Spartan win.

Stat of the Game – Canyon Birch recorded a game-leading eight goals.

TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES 

• The Spartans have won nine straight.
• Luca Mercaldo recorded 6 saves.
• Owen Miller recorded his first hat trick of the season.
• Birch led Tampa in goals with 8.
• Charlie Villa recorded two saves.  
• Poma led the game in groundballs with 15.
• Birch netted his 9^th hat trick of the season (12 games).

UP NEXT - Tampa returns home for the final time in the regular season on Saturday to take on Lynn at 3 p.m.