Spartans Fall In NCAA Quarterfinals

HICKORY, N.C. – The University of Tampa Spartans faced off against the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears in the NCAA Quarterfinals. UT would fall short, as they would fall to LR 16-15 in overtime.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 

Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 16, Tampa 15
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (14-1), Tampa (10-1)
All-Time Series: Tampa leads the series 4-2

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST QUARTER

The Bears were the first team on the board as they scored a quick goal 54 seconds into the game. Tampa would respond at the 9:13 mark, as Colin White would score an unassisted goal to tie the game. UT would score the next six goals before LR would add a goal to end the quarter. || UT 7, LR 2

SECOND QUARTER

LR would start the second frame off hot as they would score the first three goals to pull the game within two goals at 7-5. Following the Bears run, the Spartans would go on a three-goal run of their own as Ben French, Daniel Fitzpatrick, and Bryan Wright would add goals. || UT 10, LR 5

THIRD QUARTER

The third quarter was an offensive explosion as there were a total of 12 goals scored. The Bears used a strong performance in the frame, as they were able to score eight of the goals. After LR would grab its first lead since the opening goal of the game, UT answered back with goals by Jack Wood and Ben French to give Tampa a one-goal lead heading into the fourth quarter. || UT 15, LR 13

FOURTH QUARTER

Lenoir-Rhyne would score two goals in the first three minutes of the quarter to regain the lead at 15-14. With 5:33 left to play in the quarter, French would score his fourth goal of the game to tie the game back up. Over the final 5:33, neither team would add a goal, forcing an overtime period with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

OVERTIME

In the final four minutes of the game, both defenses stepped up as the game would not be decided until the final seconds. With 31 seconds left to play in the game, Lenoir-Rhyne caused a Tampa turnover around the midfield. The Bears would turn around and score the game-winning goal with just four seconds left to play in overtime. 

INSIDE THE STATS

• Ben French ended the game with four goals on five shots.
• Daniel Fitzpatrick would also add four goals in the game.
• Jack Wood finished with four assists and one goal.
• Jake Mosher Mcgraw and Colin White would each score two goals.
• Richie Holle and Bryan Wright each had a goal.
• Sam Collingwood would lead the game with three caused turnovers.
• Ross Dickerson went 15-30 in the faceoff circle with 10 groundballs.
• Blake Ulmer finished the game with 13 saves.

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