No. 2 Tampa Makes Easy Work of Florida Tech in Season Opener

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The No. 2 ranked University of Tampa men's lacrosse team started off the season with a win on the road against Florida Tech.

FIRST QUARTER

Today's game marked the 21^st meeting between the two programs and the Spartans were able to notch another win in the series. Graduate student Michael Flores kicked off the game by winning the first faceoff of the year giving the Spartans an early possession. Sophomore Zack Friend netted the first goal for the Spartans three and half minutes into the season to give Tampa an early lead. The Panthers and Spartans played a contested back-and-forth first quarter with the two trading possessions for the duration of the quarter until Mercer transfer, Thomas Strong secured the first goal for the Panthers to level the goal with a minute remaining in the quarter. End of Q1 | Tied 1-1

SECOND QUARTER

After a slow start to the game, play seemingly opened up for both offenses in the second. Following a faceoff violation by the Spartans, the Panthers would score just seconds in the quarter, however their lead did not last long as senior, Ryan Kemp notched his first goal of the season on an assist by Brayden Ziegler in transition after a difficult save by goalie Connor Theriault.

Returning leading scorer, Jackson Bashaw would build on his 2024 performance by netting his first of the 2025 campaign with 12:55 left in the second. Kemp would go on to rip a left-handed shot past the Panthers goalkeeper off the far post and into the net. After some more back-and-forth play, Rafe Bradshaw would put the Spartans up 5-3 with 6:22 in the second. 2024 SSC Freshman of the Year, Joe Coveleski narrowed the gap for Florida Tech in the remaining minutes of the first half but the Spartans would take a 5-4 lead into halftime. End of Q2 | 5-4 Tampa

THIRD QUARTER

Tampa newcomers Davis Lindsey and Jack Spears would open up the scoring in the fourth as the Spartans began to pull away. Tampa would go on a 4-0 run to start the second half. Following a second Coveleski goal by Tech, Lindsey and Grant Green and would score consecutive goals to give the Spartans a commanding 11-5 lead to close out the quarter. End of Q3 | 11-5 Tampa

FOURTH QUARTER

Tampa would keep up the intensity in the fourth with a pair of goals from Lindsey and Bashaw followed by an onslaught of goals to wrap up the game. Final | 15-6 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Ryan Kemp would finish the game with 4 goals.
• Jackson Bashaw recorded a hattrick.
• Loyola Maryland transfer, Davis Lindsey would also begin his Spartan career with a hattrick.
• 2022 First Team All-Ivy League goalie, Connor Theriault would start his Tampa career with nine saves and a groundball.
• Head Coach, J.B. Clarke improves to 4-0 in season openers while at Tampa.
• Tampa has won the last 12 games against Florida Tech dating back to March 21, 2018.

UP NEXT: Tampa will face Flagler in their home opener next Saturday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. for alumni night.