UT Set To Host St. Leo On Senior Night
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (3-9-2, 3-3-1 SSC) men's soccer team takes the field at Pepin Stadium for a Wednesday evening match at 7 p.m., against the St. Leo University Lions (8-5, 3-4). This match will be Tampa's senior night as the group of six seniors has the opportunity to lead the team to the postseason despite an 0-6-2 start.
"To do what this team has done is incredible after such an unlucky start to the year," says head coach Adrian Bush. "Spending a month without a home match and going 0-6-2 with five overtime games in that stretch is very tough. Most athletes would of checked out after a start like we had but this team has great character. These players & our staff have worked so hard and maintained our focus to win a SSC championship - now we have climbed our way back to be in a situation to make the SSC conference tournament with a result tonight at home. I do feel if we get into the tournament we can run the table and get an NCAA bid."
Tampa is 29-6 all-time against St. Leo, beating them on the road 2-1 last season.The Spartans have won four of six against the Lions dating back to 2005.
Senior midfielder Ryan Griffin leads the team in goals with 11, whil junior midfielder Dominic Cutrofello is second on the team with five.
Griffin was named Sunshine State Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week for the period ending October 23.He tallied four goals and an assist for the Spartans.
Griffin will be joined by classmates Karl Swan, Matt Karn, Greg Sasser, David Gulec and Donahue Malvo as the Spartans playing their final regular season game at Pepin Stadium. Four of the seniors are four year letterwinners in Griffin, Karn, Sasser and Swan. The group will be honored before the match.
"I hope the student body comes out and supports this team tonight as we have a group of seniors that have put in an amazing four years as Spartans," comments Bush. "Tonight is a night we recognize the seniors as they will be playing their final regular season home game as Spartans. Collectively this group of seniors have a 3.5 GPA, have been to 3 straight NCAA tournaments, 1 NCAA Final Four, 1 NCAA Quarterfinal, won 2 South Region Championships, won 2 SSC championships and played in 3 consecutive SSC conference tournament championship games."
Tampa is coming off a 2-1 win over Nova Southeastern on Saturday night. UT goalie David Niepel came away with six saves in the game.
UT has been outscored 31-22 so far this season. The Spartans have plenty of experience in close games, with seven of its nine losses coming by just one goal. UT has also played in a record six overtime contests this season, with an 0-4-2 tally in games that require extra time.
St. Leo started the season off 5-1, but dropped four of its last seven games. Junior midfielder Joel Purkiss leads all Lions in scoring with seven goals. Sophomore's Aaron Gendreau and Edgar Herrera are second on the team with five goals a piece.
The Lions have been outscored 15-6 in its last six games.
"This would be the perfect send off to these fantastic seniors" continues Bush. "Most of the graduating seniors are from the Tampa Bay area and with our entire team make up this year - 9 of our 11 starters are from right here in the Tampa Bay area, they are products of this area and grew up watching UT Men's Soccer. Our strength of schedule has prepared us for games like this and now it is time to put our season on the line for 1 game. Nobody thought this team would be in this situation after our start, many counted us out - I really credit these players and tonight they can prove a lot of people wrong."
Tickets will be available at the gate for $5 (adults) and $3 (children and senior citizens). UT students will be admitted for free with a valid student ID.
Live stats and a webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.
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