No.1 Spartans Host a Clinic Against No.14 Florida Southern and Win the SSC

TAMPA, FL. – The No. 1 ranked University of Tampa Spartans men's lacrosse team defeats No.14 Florida Southern to Win the SSC in Decisive Fashion

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 1 Tampa 18, No.14 Florida Southern 8

Records: Tampa Spartans (18-0) (8-0 SSC), Florida Southern Mocs (12-6) (5-3 SSC)

Location: Naimoli Family Athletic Complex || Tampa, FL

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST QUARTER

The Spartans would waste no time finding the back of the net, with Daniel Fitzpatrick opening the scoring less than one minute into the matchup. Just one minute later, Harry Kilkowski connected with Luke McAnaney in front of the net to extend the Spartan lead to two goals. The Spartans two early goals caused the Mocs to call a timeout to try and regroup. Right after the Mocs got on the board, McAnaney netted his second of the game, with Matthew Beddow finding one of his own seconds later. The Mocs would keep pressure on the Spartan defense by finding the back of the net also. Overall, the first quarter was a well fought battle between the teams, with the Spartans earning the lead headed into the second. The Spartans scored as follows:

14:25 -  Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

13:15 – Luke McAnaney, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

10:17 – Luke McAnaney, assisted by Colin White

09:23 – Matthew Beddow, unassisted

08:26 – Luke McAnaney, assisted by Ethan Paduch

05:57 – Sam Collingwood, unassisted

02:15 – Hayden Toth, unassisted

00:24 – Owen Matukas, assisted by Luke McAnaney

Score: 8-3 Tampa

SECOND QUARTER

The second quarter began with the Mocs scoring early off the face-off, proving that the battle between the two conference foes was just getting started. McAnaney netted his fourth of the game to spark the Spartan offense in the second quarter and build the lead to five goals. Kilkowski notched his second assist after finding Charlie Bolesh open in front of the net to extend the Spartan lead to six. With just over six minutes left before the half, the Spartans call a timeout with a five goal lead. To slow the game down after momentum was too far in Tampa's favor, Florida Southern called a timeout with over one minute left before the half. The Spartans would finish the first half of the game with a five goal lead over the Mocs, due to the offensive surge early on in the matchup. The Spartans scored as follows:

13:08 – Luke McAnaney, unassisted

10:41 - Charlie Bolesh, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

Score: 10-5 Tampa

THIRD QUARTER

The second half opened similarly to the first two quarters, with both teams playing well on both sides of the ball. The Mocs would open the scoring for the second half with two quick goals after a scoreless five minutes from both teams, cutting the Spartans lead to three. Nick Papa made an incredible pass in-front of the net to set up Colin White's goal to get the Spartans on the board for the half. This quarter saw a lot of shifts in momentum, with both teams causing turnovers. The Spartans great play on both sides of the ball, along with goalie Blake Ulmer's 13 saves, the Spartans entered the final 15 minutes with the leads. The Spartans scored as follows:

08:34– Colin White, assisted by Nick Papa

07:18 – Harry Kilkowski, unassisted

Score: 13-7 Tampa

FOURTH QUARTER
The Spartans carried over their momentum from the last three quarters into the final 15 minutes. Tampa scored three goals within one minute of each other at the nine minute mark. Bolesh found the back of the net for the second time to open the scoring for Tampa. McAnaney continued be be a difference maker, when he found White in front of the net. McAnaney netted his fifth of the game directly after his assist. Fitzpatrick scored his second of the matchup, with Cole Willard following right after, to end this almost three minute offensive surge for the Spartans. The Spartans would finish this game strong, and win the SSC Championship in decisive fashion. The Spartans scored as follows:

09:06– Charlie Bolesh, unassisted

09:00 – Colin White, assisted by Luke McAnaney

08:25 – Luke McAnaney, assisted by Owen Miller

07:39 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

06:28 – Cole Willard, unassisted

Score: 18-8 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

The Spartans had three players that netted two goals, Fitzpatrick, Bolesh, Matukas, and White

McAnanney scored a team leading 5 goals

Hunter Turner would record a game high 7 ground balls

The Spartans outshot the Mocs 55-46

UP NEXT: The Spartans will begin NCAA Tournament play on May 11, TBA on time and opponent.