#10 Spartans Eliminate #5 Tars, Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals

WINTER PARK, Fla. - Two first half goals and stellar goalkeeping lifted the No. 10 University of Tampa men's soccer team over No. 5 Rollins College on Sunday afternoon in the South Regional finals. The victory avenges a loss earlier this season in Winter Park and pushes the Spartans into the NCAA II Quarterfinals against No. 9 Lees-McRae.

Tampa (17-2-1) struck first in the opening period after Tars forward Adam New was issued a yellow card just outside the box. Dan Ingvarsson put the ensuing free kick past Rollins' Aaron Rokeach to put the Spartans up 1-0. In the 32nd minute, sophomore Greg O'Connor took a connecting pass from freshman Brian Fekete and delivered a hard strike into the back of the net to give Tampa a 2-0 lead going into the half.

The Tars (17-3-1) did not go quietly, however, as they came charging back in the second half. With 22 minutes remaining in regulation, Rollins' Jacob Deloach sent a textbook service into the box and Bradley Welch headed it home to pull the Tars to within one.

With a diving save in the 85th minute, goalkeeper Ryan Thompson stole what would have been the game-tying goal for the Tars. Thompson finished the contest with three saves while Rokeach finished with one.

"First, we want to tip our hats to Rollins, their coaching staff, and program," UT head coach Adrian Bush said following the match. "This is a program with class and an outstanding team. This was a great win on the road against a very good team."

As South Region champions, the Spartans advance to the NCAA II Quarterfinals against No. 9 Lees-McRae, who defeated No. 24 Anderson 3-2 in overtime.

"It gets us one step closer and we have to continue to improve in a lot of areas," Bush continued. "We will enjoy this and it's back to work for our players tomorrow. With our staff, there are no days off; our prep is immediate. We have a lot of respect for Lees McRae; it will be another tough game in this journey that will require another team effort."