Spartans Outlast Mocs in Conference Semifinal

TAMPA, Fla. – No. 3 Tampa defeats Florida Southern to advance to the conference championship.

The Mocs would waste no time to begin the game, opening the scoring within the first minute and a half. Freshman Zack Friend scored the Spartans' first goal to tie the game at one. Jackson Bashaw netted one soon after, giving Tampa their first lead. Florida Southern scored three consecutive goals with just under three minutes left in the first, to put them in the lead by two. With just under 10 seconds left in the first quarter, the Mocs scored their fifth goal, putting them in the lead by three headed into the second quarter.

The second quarter began with Charlie Bolesh scoring his first goal of the game. Shortly after Bashaw netted his second goal of the game, closing the gap to one goal. Soon after, Florida Southern put one in the back of the net regaining their two-goal lead. Evan Ansted found the back of the net with his unassisted goal, leaving five minutes left on the clock. Less than a minute later Nick Papa scored his first goal of the game assisted by Owen Miller to tie the game. Papa scored again with an assist by Andrew Milani to put Tampa back in the lead. Milani netted one soon after, assisted by Miller. With less than a minute left in the game, Milani scored his second goal assisted by Canyon Birch to finish the first half Tampa leading nine to six.

The second half began with Miller netting his first of the game three minutes into the quarter. Milani finishes off his hat trick, making it his fifth consecutive game with a hat trick. Assisted by Mitchell Pfeiffer, Bashaw scores his third goal, making it his fourth hat trick of the season. Milani goes on to score back-to-back goals, with the Spartans leading by six. Florida Southern got one back in the quarter, sending Tampa into the final 15 minutes with a five-goal lead.

The final quarter began with Friend assisting Papa on an early goal, finishing off Papa's hat trick. Florida Southern scored consecutive goals, cutting the Tampa lead by four. Milani netted his sixth goal of the game unassisted, extending the Spartans' lead. Bashaw netted his fourth of the game soon after off a pass from Aaron Cho. The Spartans' second-half offensive explosion proved too much for the Mocs to handle, as they earned their spot in the SSC Championship game.

Stat of the Game – This is Andrew Milani's fifth consecutive game with a hat trick.

TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES 

• The Spartans have won 14 straight.

• Luca Mercaldo started in net, recording 12 saves.

• Milani recorded his ninth hat trick of the season.

• 15 Spartans contributed to the score sheet tonight.

• Three Spartans recorded hat tricks; Bashaw, Milani, and Papa.

UP NEXT - Tampa will host the conference championship game on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.