Jupiter alum Jackson Bashaw 2G/1A for Tampa. Providence alum Guy Bistrow 1A/2GBs/1CTO, Lake Mary alum Chase Strait 20 Saves for Saint Leo.

via the school press releases/websites

BOX SCORE

Spartans Defense Shuts Down Lions in Road Win

ST. LEO, Fla. – No.3 Tampa defeats Saint Leo in conference showdown on the road.

The Spartans would waste no time to begin the game, with Andrew Milani opening the scoring less than two minutes into the game. Less than one minute later, Canyon Birch would find the back of the net to build the Tampa lead. Milani would go on to score back-to-back goals, finishing off his hat trick with just over nine minutes left to play in the first quarter. The Lions would get on the board soon after, before Jackson Bashaw netted one to re-gain a four-goal lead for the Spartans. After a successful penalty kill by Saint Leo, Owen Miller scored one of his own to cushion the Tampa lead.

The second quarter began with the Lions netting an early goal, cutting the Spartans’ lead to four. Saint Leo would net back-to-back goals to cut into the Tampa lead. Milani would net his fourth of the game soon after, getting one back for the Spartans. With just over eight minutes to play before the half, the Lions scored once again, making it a two-goal lead for the Spartans. The Lions would cut the Spartans’ lead to one goal with just under six and a half minutes before halftime. Ryan Kemp would score his sixth goal of the season to build Tampa’s lead back to two goals. After a late goal by Saint Leo, Tampa would head into the break with a one goal lead.

The second half began with Milani opening the scoring once again, netting his fifth of the game. With just over six and a half minutes left in the quarter, Nick Papa netted an unassisted goal to build the Tampa lead back to three. The Spartans’ defense did not allow the Lions to find the back of the net in this quarter. Behind a late goal from Owen Miller assisted by Charlie Bolesh, Tampa would head into the final 15 minutes with a four-goal lead.

The final 15 minutes began with Birch netting his second of the game, building Tampa’s lead to five. Less than two minutes later, Ronan Sanchez connected with Bashaw on his second tally of the night. Bolesh went on to net one of his own off a pass from Bashaw to cushion the Spartans’ lead. Behind back to back late goals from Milani, Tampa would earn their eleventh straight win.

Stat of the Game – Andrew Milani recorded his second straight seven goal game.

TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES 

• The Spartans have won 11 straight.
• Luca Mercaldo recorded nine saves.
• Milani recorded his sixth hat trick of the season.
• The Tampa defense held Saint Leo scoreless in the second half.
• Alex Poma led Tampa in groundballs with 7.
• Milani recorded his second straight seven goal game.

UP NEXT – Tampa continues their road trip on Saturday as they travel to Sparks, Maryland for a neutral site game against Seton Hill at 12:00p.m.

*****

Men’s Lacrosse Falls to #3 Tampa in SSC Action

by George Hillen | Manager of Athletic Communications

SAINT LEO, Fla. – Despite fighting back from a four-goal deficit in the first half, the Saint Leo men’s lacrosse team lost 16-7 versus third-ranked Tampa at home on Wednesday night in a Sunshine State Conference (SSC) contest.

The Spartans scored the first four goals of the game until sophomore Aiden Knoetgen found the back of the net off a dish from senior Guy Bistrow at the 8:55-mark of the first quarter. The Lions trailed 6-1 heading into the second frame as Saint Leo kickstarted the quarter with three consecutive goals to close the gap at 6-4 as Knoetgen, sophomore James Davies, and sophomore Matthew Cleary laced scores for the Green and Gold. After Tampa scored to lead 7-4, Cleary and junior Xan Hayes each tallied goals as the Lions trailed 7-6. With 1:10 remaining in the first half, Knoetgen laced a goal off the feed from sophomore Greg Palmer as the Spartans led by an 8-7 margin at halftime.

In the third quarter, Tampa extended its lead to 11-7 with three goals in the frame before the Spartans posted five goals in the final quarter to lead 16-7.

Knoetgen finished the game with four total points that included three goals and one assist. Davies recorded one goal and one assist while Palmer dished out two assists and Cleary registered a pair of goals. Hayes earned one goal in three shot attempts. Senior Michael Flores won nine faceoffs and collected five groundballs. Davies notched four groundballs while sophomore Jimmy McGonigle caused two turnovers and posted two groundballs. In the net, senior Chase Strait recorded a career-best 20 saves in the complete-game effort.

The Lions return to action on Saturday, April 13 as they travel to face Embry-Riddle in an SSC showdown at 3 p.m.