Top-Seeded Spartans Host Mavericks to Open NCAA Tournament
TAMPA, Fla. – The NCAA postseason begins this week, and the University of Tampa men's lacrosse team enters as the No. 1 seed in the South Region, set to open its national title pursuit on home turf.
The Matchup: No. 1 University of Tampa (18-0, 7-0 SSC) vs. No. 13 Colorado Mesa (13-3, 7-1 SSC)
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex, 1120 West North A Street, Tampa, FL 33606
Series History: Tampa holds a 7–4 all-time record against Colorado Mesa, including wins in each of the last four meetings. The Spartans have been especially dominant at home, posting a 7–1 record in Tampa, with victories in the last three seasons. The two programs have met annually since 2012, with Tampa winning six of the last seven matchups.
About the Spartans: Tampa enters the NCAA Tournament with a perfect 18–0 record after capturing its third Sunshine State Conference title in four seasons under head coach J.B. Clarke. Faceoff specialist Michael Flores was named to the USILA Team of the Week and earned SSC Tournament MVP honors after going 23-for-29 at the X. SSC Defensive Player of the Year Connor Theriault leads a defense that allows just 7.47 goals per game, while the offense is powered by Jackson Bashaw and Ryan Kemp—both with over 40 goals—and Davis Lindsey, who has tallied 34. The Spartans are aiming for their second NCAA national title after winning it all in 2022.
About the Mavericks: Colorado Mesa clinched its NCAA berth with an 18–14 win over No. 9 Flagler to capture the Peach Belt Conference Championship, marking just its second NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2018. Eleven different players scored in the title game, led by Connor Jensen's five points and Tournament MVP Shaden Shields, who made 16 saves. Faceoff specialist Mike Edwards was a force, winning 19 draws and collecting 12 ground balls. The Mavericks enter Wednesday's matchup on a three-game postseason win streak, having won nine of their last ten overall.