Spartans Defeat Conference Foe in Top 5 Battle at Home

TAMPA, Fla. – No.3 Tampa defeats No. 5 Rollins in First Conference Matchup of the Season

HOW IT HAPPENED

The game began with Tampa wasting no time, with Nick Papa netting the opening goal off a pass from Owen Miller. Just under two minutes later, Matthew Beddow netted a goal to build the Spartan lead. Freshman Zack Friend found Jackson Bashaw in front of the net for the Spartans' third consecutive goal. The Tars netted back-to-back goals late in the first quarter to make it a one goal game. The Spartans would head into the second quarter with a two-goal lead behind Charlie Bolesh's late goal.

The second 15 minutes would begin with Rollins cutting the Tampa lead to one goal. Canyon Birch would respond immediately after, with Luca Mercaldo making a series of saves to keep the Tampa lead at two. Miller and Ronan Sanchez would each net goals in a thirty second window, causing the Tars to call a timeout. Bolesh and Bashaw netted back-to-back quick goals to build the Tampa lead to five. Bashaw finished off his hat trick with a buzzer beater to send the Spartans into halftime.  

The second half began with an intensity by both teams, each playing well defensively. The Tars would net consecutive goals to cut the Spartans' lead to four. Miller followed by finishing off his hat trick, while Andrew Milani capitalized off a pass from Friend. Rollins would go on to net consecutive goals again before Alex Poma netted a late goal building the Tampa lead to five headed into the final quarter.

The final 15 minutes began Bolesh finishing off his hat trick, swinging the momentum in Tampa's direction. Papa would follow up with his second goal of the game before the Tars got one back. Birch then netted his second of the game, making the Tampa lead seven goals once again. The Tars would net a goal with six seconds left, but the comeback would prove too little too late.

Stat of the Game – Charlie Bolesh and Jackson Bashaw each netted hat tricks.

TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES 

• The Spartans have won six straight.
• Luca Mercaldo recorded 9 saves.
• Nine different Spartans contributed to the score sheet.
• Bolesh netted his first hat trick of the season.
• Bashaw netted his second hat trick of the season.
• Zack Friend recorded his second goal as a Spartan.

UP NEXT - Tampa remains at home to take on conference for Florida Southern on Wednesday at 8:00p.m.