Spartans Dominate Lakers In Weekend Matchup

MORROW, Ga. - The Tampa Spartans closed out their four-game road trip Saturday night at Laker Field against Clayton State. UT ended their road trip on a high note with an offensive onslaught defeating CSU 4-1.

Tampa picked up from where they left off in the second half of their previous match using a widespread uptempo approach. Under this style, the Spartans saw their offense flourish. Timely passing and utilizing the whole pitch helped the side earn a 3-1 advantage heading into the half.

UT received its first half advantage from a Jason Collister shot that deflected off a CSU defender just six minutes into the match. Later on at the 29-minute mark Keith Francisco drove home what would be the game-winner.

The Lakers would answer back at the 32-minute mark with a header by Lain Smith assisted by Aleksi Tuominen. However, Michael Cobuzio would respond for the Spartans at the 34-minute mark to regain their two-goal lead.

Just moments before the half at the 38-minute mark there was a sending off as Bilal Nakhli received a red card and left Clayton State playing a man down for the rest of the match.

Second half play kicked off with CSU playing a man down, but Tampa did not allow this to phase them sticking to their gameplan of spreading the field and playing with a controlled urgency. Answering the call for Tampa was Jason Collister, who put the final nail in the coffin at the 60-minute mark dissipating any thoughts of a comeback. Collister placed the ball just out of the reach of the Laker keeper glancing off the inside of the post giving the Spartans a 4-1 lead.

Tampa returns home on September 16 to take on Warner College; kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Live stats and video coverage will be available for fans to follow along at home.

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