Tampa Starts the Season with 2-1 Victory Over #13 West Florida

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of Tampa men's soccer team secures season opening victory over ranked opponent West Florida.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Tampa 2, #13 West Florida 1

Records: Tampa 1-0-0, #13 West Florida 0-1-0

Location: West Florida Soccer Complex | Pensacola, Fla

All-time series: The Spartans hold an 14-7-4 lead over the Argonauts in the overall series.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF: The Argonauts got off to a quick start in the game with a penalty scored by Keegan Ancelin within the first two minutes. West Florida would protect their lead for the majority of the half until newcomer Rodrigo Lopes equalized for the Spartans in the 42nd minute from an assist by senior Jack Hartford. Both sides would end the half with a goal a piece. 

Score: 1-1 

SECOND HALF: Going into the second half Tampa would continue to build momentum. Theo Maye would score the match winner for Tampa in the 79th minute, cutting in from the left-hand side and smashing one into the upper-right corner of West Florida's Nicolas Meckien's goal. The Spartans would bunker down and close out the game to defeat the #13 Argonauts on the road.

Final: 2-1 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Alex Hare started in goal for the Spartans, recording one save.
• Six different Spartans recorded shots on goal, totaling nine shots in the game for Tampa.
• Lopes and Maye each netted one goal.
• Hartford and Juancarlos Rodriguez each recorded one assist.

UP NEXT: The Spartans continue their road trip as they head to Alabama to take on Auburn University at Montegomery Saturday at 12:00p.m.