Career Effort By Jake Richards Preserves SSC Tie With Mocs

LAKELAND, Fla. – The University of Tampa men's soccer team drew with Sunshine State Conference rival Florida Southern College.

MATCHUP
Final: Tampa 1, Florida Southern 1
Records: Tampa Spartans (4-4-1, 2-2-1 SSC), Florida Southern Mocs (2-3-4, 1-1-3 SSC)
Location: Florida Mocs Soccer Stadium || Lakeland, Fla. 
All-time Series: Tampa still leads FSC in all-time series with a record of 34-8-5.

QUOTING ADRIAN BUSH: "Our team showed tremendous character and depth tonight. Everyone stayed committed to the job that was asked of them."

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half | Both teams had many chances at breaking open the scoring in the first half as Tampa had 4 shots and Florida Southern posted 11. (43') However, forward Amgad Salah gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead with a well-placed chip over Mocs goalkeeper Phillip Faderl after a defensive miscue by Florida Southern. (44') Right before halftime, the Mocs attempted to tie the game with a cross into the box, but the shot was saved by goalie Jake Richards, who posted 5 total saves in the first half, giving him his 200^th career save.  || Tampa, 1-0

2nd Half | (47') The Spartans came out of halftime looking to increase their lead as forward Rojay Smith took on goalkeeper Faderl with a shot that barely missed goal which would have been his 6^th goal this season. Tampa's defense remained strong as they protected their goal with solid defensive clearances. (61') The Mocs had a chance at tying the game with a 20-yard free-kick that was blocked by Tampa's defense. (71') Mocs midfielder Eneko Lasheras curled in a shot on goal that was saved by Jake Richards. (75') The Mocs eventually evened the score on a cross into the box scored by Taylor Vincent, assisted by Henry Phillips. || Tied 1-1

1OT | (93') Florida Southern opened up overtime with a 20-yard missile which was saved by an outstretched Richards keeping the Spartans alive.

2OT | (115') Mocs striker chipped a shot towards goal that was saved by defender Marcus Menniti right before it rolled over the goal-line to keep the game even at 1-1. Both teams seemed to run out of gas near the end of the second OT period and the game remained a draw at 1 apiece. || Draw 1-1 

Inside the Stats:

• Jake Richards recorded his 200^th career save making him the fifth player in Tampa history to record 200-plus saves
• Jake Richards finished the game with 13 saves; which surpasses his previous career-high of seven. He finished two saves shy of Ryan Thompson's school record of 15.
• Jake Richards now leads the SSC in saves with 62 on the season.
• Amgad Salah recorded his second goal of the season.
• Tampa only posted 7 shots, 2 of those shots on goal; FSC recorded 30 shots,16 of those on goal. 

UP NEXT: The Spartans will defend their home field as they are set to face off against conference opponent Nova Southeastern on Saturday. Kick-off will be at 6 p.m., at Pepin Stadium for Alumni Night.

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