NCAA Semifinal Preview: Tampa Gets Rematch With Lenoir-Rhyne on Home Turf

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa set to face Lenoir-Rhyne for a spot in the NCAA National Championship game. 

The Matchup: No. 1 University of Tampa (18-1, 7-0 SSC) No. 2 Lenoir-Rhyne (16-1, 8-1 SAC)

Date/Time: Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex. 1120 West North A Street, Tampa, FL 33606

About the Spartans: Tampa is coming off an impressive 20-3 quarterfinal victory over Lewis. With the win, Tampa advanced to its fifth NCAA Semifinal and will face Lenoir-Rhyne for a spot in the NCAA Division II National Championship on Sunday, May 19 at 1 PM. Tampa and Lenoir-Rhyne faced off earlier on in the season in a neutral-site matchup where the Spartans fell 12-9 to the Bears. Since the loss, UT has won sixteen straight games and is undefeated on home soil this season. Tampa owns the series history, 7-4 over Lenoir-Rhyne, and has hopes to knock off the reigning National Champions on home turf and punch their ticket to Philadelphia. 

About the Bears: Lenoir-Rhyne defeated Limestone in the quarterfinals at home in a tight contest, 15-13. LRU is 5-1 on the road this season with their lone loss coming to Limestone who they just defeated last Sunday. The Bears defeated Tampa back on February 17 this season and knocked out the Spartans a season ago in the NCAA Tournament. Tampa hopes to flip the script this season and advance to its second NCAA title game in the last three years.