Spartans Set to Face Eckerd in Conference Semifinal

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's soccer team (10-5) are set to square off against Eckerd College (9-5-3) at 2:30 pm on Friday afternoon in the second semifinal match of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament.

Coach Adrian Bush has led the Spartans to their first appearance in the conference semifinals since the National Championship season in 2001. "I am happy with the progression our team has made this season," said Bush. "Winning the conference and making the NCAA Tournament have been our main goals all season, and they are two things our whole team is focused on."

Tampa enters Friday's match as the second seed in the SSC Tournament, facing an Eckerd squad that defeated the third-seeded Rollins College Tars 2-1 on Tuesday night to advance to the semifinal for the first time since the tournament was reinstituted in 2003.

The two teams last faced each other on October 26, with Tampa claiming the final result by a score of 1-0 to end their regular season with a victory. The victory marks Tampa's second win in as many years against the Tritons, improving their all-time record with Eckerd to 26-4.

"We are honored to be one of the four remaining teams in the conference," said Bush. "It will be no easy task. Eckerd is a good team; we have a lot of respect for them, and the game will be no different than any other time we play them."

The number 10-ranked Lynn University Fighting Knights will be hosting the final two rounds of the SSC Tournament this coming weekend. Both semifinal matches taking place on Friday at 11 am and 2:30 pm, with the final scheduled for Sunday at 1 pm.