Spartans Rule Lions for Eighth Straight Victory

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa men's lacrosse team welcomed the Saint Leo University Lions for a Sunshine State Conference matchup under the lights. Tampa won, improving its record to a perfect 8-0.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 14, Saint Leo 5

Records: Tampa 8-0 (6-0 SSC), Saint Leo 3-6 (3-3 SSC)

Location: Naimoli Family Athletics Complex | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST QUARTER

As has been the case all season, the lethal combination of Ben French and Jack Wood was too much for the Lions to handle, as French (assisted by Wood) found the back of the net early to give Tampa a 1-0 lead at 14:02. Wood decided he wanted a goal of his own, scoring UT's next tally a minute and a half later, 2-0 Tampa. A Lion penalty gave Tampa its first man-up opportunity of the game at 4:01 and Wood again buried a shot just four seconds into the penalty, giving the Spartans a 3-0 lead. Saint Leo got on the board with just under three minutes to go before Wood struck again (with French assisting) with a second left in the first frame. Score: 4-1 Tampa

SECOND QUARTER

Tampa was narrowly outscored by the Lions in the second quarter, and they struck first with an unassisted effort to open the quarter. Two Spartan goals followed, earning Tampa a 6-2 lead, by Luke McAnaney, assisted by French, and a Bryan Wright solo effort. Saint Leo scored the last two goals of the quarter to keep things close. Score: 6-4 Tampa

THIRD QUARTER

The Spartans dominated the third, holding Saint Leo scoreless and pouring on seven goals. Colin White's strike got the Spartan attack going early, followed by two French goals, the first unassisted and second assisted by Scott Phillips, for a 9-4 lead with 12:29 to play.

Daniel Fitzpatrick joined the party four minutes later, assisted by Shane Hanlon, and Jake Mosher McGraw found the back of the net off a feed from Phillips. Tampa's lead was 11-4 with 8:20 to play.

French scored his fourth of the game, helper from White, with three minutes left. Wyatt Fruland took his seat at the goal-scoring table shortly after to close the quarter. Score: Tampa 13-4

FOURTH QUARTER

Only two goals were scored in the fourth, one by Tampa and one by Saint Leo. Wood notched the hattrick at the 10:46 mark. The Lions scored not long after. Final: 14-5 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Jack Wood (4G, 1A) and Ben French (4G, 2A) each scored four goals.
• Faceoff man Ross Dickerson won 12 faceoffs and racked up 10 groundballs.
• Blake Ulmer made six saves and is 8-0 on the year.
• UT outshot the Lions 58-25.
• UT had 17 caused turnovers.

With the victory, Tampa claimed the Sunshine State Conference title outright. This is the fifth regular-season title for the Spartans. 

UP NEXT: Tampa will play its final regular season game at home against the Lynn University Fighting Knights on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

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