Spartans Drop National Semifinal in Overtime Heartbreaker

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 11 Tampa Spartans' run to a national title came up short with a 3-2 overtime loss at the hands of No. 9 Cal State-Dominguez Hills Toros in the NCAA II national semifinal.

The Spartans got on the board with less than 20 seconds gone in the first half when Ryan Maxwell put the ball home for a 1-0 lead. A save on the Spartan goal line by defender Tom Layrisse retained the lead until, in the 21st minute, the Toros answered with a goal from Greg Piechota to knot the game at one.

Less than eight minutes later, Tampa regained their one goal advantage when UT's leading point-getter Pascal Milien crossed to Lister Warren for a 2-1 lead going into the half.

With 40 seconds gone by in the second half, Dominguez Hills tied the matchup once again with a goal from Jordan Rover.

The game would stay knotted at 2-2 for the remainder of regulation before Scott Mariano found the back of the Spartan net in the fourth minute to give the Toros a ticket to the national title game on Sunday against Dowling.

The Spartans' Ryan Thompson finished the contest with seven saves while the Toros' Miguel Benitez finished with six and the win.