Tampa Defeats Saint Leo 4-2 in Sunshine State Conference Matchup

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's soccer team (7-4, 3-2 SSC) utilized timely scoring, and consistent defense to defeat Saint Leo University (7-3-2, 3-2 SSC) 4-2 on Wednesday night.

Ricardo Cardoso put the Spartans ahead early in the 12th minute, taking a perfect through ball from fellow striker Clevon George, and placing it neatly in the right side of the net to give Tampa the 1-0 lead. Cardoso added another goal in the 16th minute, his second of the match, this one a perfectly paced chip shot over the Lions keeper for the 2-0 advantage.

Freshman Jonathan Glenn moved Saint Leo within one of the Spartans in the 27th minute, scoring his 11th goal of the campaign in only his eighth match off a headed pass from Eusebio Montoya. Tampa extended their lead to 3-1 in the 32nd minute, after Ryan Maxwell hit a volley into the top corner off a cross from Carlos Mora for his second goal of the season.

The Lions pulled within one of the Spartans again in the 51st minute after Leonardo Nogueira put a cross from Luis Quintero into the back of the net to cut Tampa's lead to 3-2. Dan Ingvarsson added a late goal for in the 74th minute, curling a set piece past the Saint Leo keeper to give the Spartans the final margin of victory at 4-2.

Cardoso regained the team lead in goals with two in the match, giving him six for the season. George added two assists in the winning effort, with Pascal Milien and Carlos Mora each recording one. Kevin St. John played the full 90 minutes in net for the Spartans, allowing two goals and making four saves.

"This was a huge win for us," said Coach Adrian Bush after the match. "It is a credit to our guys, and we came to play. This team stepped up big, and it was a great effort by them."

Tampa returns to the pitch at home on Saturday as they host Florida Southern in an SSC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 pm.