Spartans Breeze Past Florida Southern

LAKELAND, Fla. – The No.8 ranked University of Tampa Spartans men's lacrosse team breeze past No.16 Florida Southern on the road.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 8 Tampa 17, No.16 Florida Southern 8

Records: Tampa Spartans (10-2, 4-1 SSC), Florida Southern Moccasins (10-3, 3-1 SSC)

Location: Berned Field || Lakeland, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST QUARTER

The game opened with the Spartans getting on the board first. They kept this momentum going on a 4-0 run. The Mocs didn't surrender easily scoring four goals within one minute. In this time, they held the Spartans to no points and tied the game at 4. In the last minute of the quarter, a shot from Harry Kilkowski gets rejected by the Mocs preventing the Spartans from taking the lead before the second quarter. Despite this, Daniel Fitzpatrick grabbed an early hattrick this quarter. 

12:59 - Daniel Fitzpatrick, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

8:49 - Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

7:42 - Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

6:05 - Harry Kilkowski, assisted by Luke McAnaney

Score: 4-4 Tie

SECOND QUARTER

The second quarter brewed high intensity as each team fought to be the first to score. Both teams experienced a scoring drought for almost six minutes. The Spartans were the first to end up on the board with a goal from Kilkowski. The Spartans found some momentum after this scoring three more times putting their lead back at four. Their defense did their part never allowing the Mocs to get the ball in the back of the net.

9:11 - Harry Kilkowski, assisted by Daniel Fitzpatrick

8:21 - Ronan Sanchez, unassisted

5:16 - Owen Miller, unassisted

1:15 - Charlie Bolesh, assisted by Daniel Fitzpatrick

Score: 8-4 Tampa

THIRD QUARTER

The Spartans continued their push putting points on the board first. They scored twice before the Mocs scored for the first time since the first quarter. With 3:57 left, the Mocs scored for another time cutting into the Spartans lead. This didn't effect the Spartans as they scored two more times to edge their lead back up before closing out the third quarter.

13:39 - Charlie Bolesh, unassisted

11:53 - Luke McAnaney, unassisted

3:07 - Harry Kilkowksi, assisted by Luke McAnaney

2:24 - Owen Miller, assisted by Daniel Fitzpatrick

Score: 12-7 Tampa

FOURTH QUARTER

The back of the net looked huge as the Spartans kept sinking goals increasing their lead little by little. Their defense did good, only allowing the Mocs to score once. The Spartans finish this road game putting on a scoring clinic winning their 17th straight against the Mocs.

14:18 - Charlie Bolesh, unassisted

13:36 - Owen Miller, unassisted

10:50 - Daniel Fitzpatrick, unassisted

5:28 - Owen Miller, unassisted

4:49 - Owen Miller, assisted by Canyon Birch

Final: 17-8 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Three Spartans finished with a hattrick or more: Owen Miller (5), Daniel Fitzpatrick (4), Harry Kilkowski (3), Charlie Bolesh (3)
• Daniel Fitzpatrick led with three assists
• Matthew Beddow led with nine groundballs, Trejan Cannon right behind with eight
• Gunner Gebelein caused four opponent turnovers

UP NEXT: The Spartans head back home where they will compete against Saint Leo on April 12 at 8 p.m.