#9 UT Set To Host SSC Men’s Soccer Championship

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Sunshine State Conference announced the pairings for the 2009 SSC Men's Soccer Championship and The University of Tampa has earned a bye for the first round. Tampa's postseason will commence on Friday, November 6 at Pepin Stadium as the semifinal and championship contests will be hosted by UT.

Rollins (16-1-1) and Tampa (14-1-1) emerged as regular-season co-champions with a 7-1 conference record and 21 points. The Tars defeated Tampa 3-2 in the teams' regular-season meeting to earn the No. 1 seed.

Nevertheless, SSC Soccer Championship rules state that the same school cannot host the semifinals and final for both the men's and women's championship. The rules further state that, in odd years, the top women's seed will host the semifinals and final, while the second highest men's seed will host the men's contests. By virtue of the fact that Rollins clinched the women's title and earned the No. 1 seed, the Tar women will host the semifinals and final, while the Tar men will travel to Tampa.

In Tuesday's quarterfinals, No. 3 Lynn (14-3) will host No. 6 Nova Southeastern (8-9-1). In the other quarterfinal contest, No. 4 Barry (11-5-1) will host No. 5 Florida Tech (8-8).

Lynn and Barry finished regular-season play with identical 5-3 SSC records. The Fighting Knights earned the higher seed by defeating Barry 3-1 in the teams' match-up. Florida Tech and Nova Southeastern also tied in the final standings with a 3-5 mark. The Panthers received the higher seed by downing the Sharks 2-0 in regular-season action.

The winner of the tilt between Lynn and Nova Southeastern will face off with No. 2 Tampa in Friday's semifinals. Top-seeded Rollins awaits the winner of the Barry versus Florida Tech contest in the other semifinal.

2009 SSC MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, November 3
No. 6 Nova Southeastern at No. 3 Lynn, 3 p.m.
No. 5 Florida Tech at No. 4 Barry, 7 p.m.

Semifinals - Friday, November 6 (hosted by The University of Tampa)
No. 4-5 Winner vs. No. 1 Rollins, 5:30 p.m.
No. 3-6 Winner at No. 2 Tampa, 8 p.m.

Final - Sunday, November 8 (hosted by The University of Tampa)
Semifinal Winners, 1 p.m.