Spartans Fall to Mocs in SSC Semifinal Matchup at Home

TAMPA, Fla. – The No.7 ranked University of Tampa Spartans men's lacrosse team falls to the Mocs at home in the SSC Semifinals.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 16 Florida Southern 12, No. 7 Tampa 10

Records: Tampa Spartans (13-3, 6-2 SSC), Florida Southern Mocs (13-4, 6-2 SSC)

Location: Naimoli Family Athletic Complex || Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST QUARTER

The Sunshine State Conference semifinal would open with the Spartans wasting no time, behind Alex Poma's faceoff win that lead to a quick goal. The Mocs would respond with a goal of their own twenty seconds later to prove this postseason tilt will be highly contested. Florida Southern called a timeout with just over nine minutes left in the quarter. The Mocs netted one more to gain a one-goal lead with just under eight and a half minutes to play. Charlie Bolesh found teammate Daniel Fitzpatrick in front of the net to put the Spartans in a one-goal lead with just over four minutes left in the quarter. Behind a late goal from Matthew Beddow, the Spartans went into the second 15 minutes with a two-goal lead.

14:53 – Alex Poma, unassisted

07:34 – Jackson Bashaw, assisted by Harry Kilkowski

04:33 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, assisted by Charlie Bolesh

00:07 – Matthew Beddow, unassisted

Score: 4-2 Tampa

SECOND QUARTER

The Spartans came out swinging in the opening minutes of the second quarter, with Jackson Bashaw netting his second of the matchup off a pass from Fitzpatrick. The Mocs would open their scoring for the quarter with just over eleven left before the half, cutting the Spartans' lead to two goals. Florida Southern netted two more quick goals to tie the matchup at five goals with just over nine minutes before halftime. Harry Kilkowski netted a goal of his own, capitalizing off a pass from Nick Papa, putting Tampa in the lead once again.

14:24 – Jackson Bashaw, assisted by Daniel Fitzpatrick

04:21 – Harry Kilkowski, assisted by Nick Papa

Score: 6-5 Tampa

THIRD QUARTER

The second half would open with Luke McAnaney netting his first of the night, extending the Tampa lead. The defense for both teams played very well in the quarter, keeping the matchup close. With just over five and a half minutes in left in the quarter, Florida Southern found the back of the net for the sixth time, making it a one-goal contest again. Bashaw finished off his second career hattrick after netting a pass from Canyon Birch to build the Tampa lead to two goals. The Mocs responded soon after, making the matchup even at eight with just over two minutes left. The end of the quarter would come and a brief weather delay ensued before the final 15 minutes. 

14:13 – Luke McAnaney, unassisted

04:47 – Jackson Bashaw, assisted by Canyon Birch

Score: 8-8 Tie

FOURTH QUARTER

The final 15 minutes began after a weather delay, but the intensity of the matchup picked right back up. Just three minutes into the fourth quarter, the Mocs scored back-to-back goals to take the lead. Fitzpatrick got one back for the Spartans to make in a one-goal game in the pouring rain. Owen Miller found Bashaw in front of the net to tie the game at 10 goals a piece with just under nine minutes left in regulation. Florida Southern took a one-goal lead with just over six and a half minutes left. The Mocs found the back of the net once again with just under four minutes left, gaining a two-goal lead. Ultimately, the Spartans could not come back from the deficit.

10:49 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, assisted by Charlie Bolesh

08:51 – Jackson Bashaw, assisted by Owen Miller

Final: 12-10 Florida Southern

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Freshman Jackson Bashaw netted his second career hattrick in the matchup
• Blake Ulmer recorded 12 saves
• Tampa outshot Florida Southern 38-30
• Spartans fall at home for the first time since 2019 and the program's perfect 14-0 record in the SSC Tournament is snapped

UP NEXT: TBA