#10 Spartans Take Down Saint Leo in SSC Semifinals

TAMPA, Fla. - The tenth-ranked University of Tampa Spartans (15-2-1, 7-2 SSC) defeated conference foe Saint Leo (10-7-1, 5-4 SSC) by a score of 4-1 on Friday afternoon. With the win, the Spartans advance to the Sunshine State Conference finals on Sunday.

Tampa, who were defeated by the Lions earlier in the regular season, got on the board first in the 21st minute when the team's leading point-getter Pascal Milien beat Saint Leo goalkeeper Griffin Pharr off a pass from freshman Mike Bethel.

Early in the second half, senior Ryan Maxwell increased the Spartan lead to 2-0 when Milien's pass found him alone in front.

The Tampa squad was containing play before Saint Leo was awarded a penalty kick with just over 20 minutes to play. The Lions' Bruce Cutler put the ball past Ryan Thompson to pull the score within one, but Thompson, who was named SSC Defender of the Year, held Saint Leo scoreless for the rest of the contest, registering two saves.

Following the Saint Leo goal, Milien notched his tenth of the season and second of the match to stretch the lead back to two. A minute later, junior Lister Warren, who assisted on Milien's second, added another goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Thompson to conclude the scoring en route to a 4-1 Spartan victory.

"This was a tremendous performance from our team against another strong SSC opponent," says head coach Adrian Bush. "Saint Leo is a fantastic team with several dynamic players, our players remained focused on our goals outlined at the beginning of the year and executed our preparation. Now our focus turns to Lynn University and the opportunity to play the number-two team in the nation with the conference championship trophy on the line."

Sunday's matchup will take place at 1 p.m. against host and national number-two Lynn.