Tampa's Late Offensive Attack Shocks Seton Hill

SPARKS, Md. – No.3 Tampa defeats No. 13 Seton Hill behind late offensive attack.

The Spartans would waste no time to begin the game, with Andrew Milani opening the scoring off the first faceoff. Soon after, Owen Miller would find Zack Friend in front of the net to build the Tampa lead. Goalkeeper Luca Mercaldo made a save on the other end of the field before Canyon Birch netted his first of the game. Long stick midfielder Matthew Beddow netted a hard shot from midfield to put the Spartans up by four, causing the Griffins to call a timeout. Mercaldo continued to stand tall in net, keeping Seton Hill off the board. Milani netted his second of the game off a pass from Nick Papa, building the Tampa lead to five. The Griffins netted back-to-back goals late in the quarter to cut the Spartans' lead to four headed into the second 15 minutes.

The second quarter began with the Griffins finding the back of the net once again, cutting the Spartans' lead to three. Seton Hill scored another one with about seven minutes left before the halftime break. Milani recorded his seventh hat trick of the season, before the Griffins answered to keep the game within two. Another pair of late goals by Seton Hill sent the game knotted at seven into halftime.

The second half began with Mercaldo making a few saves to keep the game tied at seven. Charlie Bolesh would break the scoring drought and put Tampa back in the lead once again. The Griffins got one back and tied the game at eight, before Bolesh netted his second goal, putting the Spartans in the lead once again. Seton Hill would respond soon after though, tying the game at nine, proving this game to be a hard-fought battle. Birch would net his second of the game late in the quarter, putting Tampa in the lead by one headed into the final 15 minutes.

The final 15 minutes began with Mercaldo making an early save, preserving the Tampa lead. Bolesh finished off his hat trick, before Milani netted his fourth seconds after, building the Spartans' lead to three. Miller would find the back of the net for the second time in the game, extending the Tampa lead to four. Milani would net his fifth of the game with less than one minute remaining to soldify the Tampa win. 

Stat of the Game – Andrew Milani recorded a game leading five goals.

TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES 

• The Spartans have won 12 straight.
• Luca Mercaldo stood tall in net for Tampa.
• Milani recorded his seventh hat trick of the season.
• Bolesh netted his second hat trick of the season.
• The Tampa defense held Seton Hill scoreless in the fourth quarter.
• Milani tallied a hat trick in each of the last three games.

UP NEXT - Tampa closes out the regular season on the road as they travel to Melbourne to take on Florida Tech Wednesday at 7:00p.m.