via Tampa press release   BOX SCORE HICKORY, N.C. – The University of Tampa men’s lacrosse team opened up the 2021 NCAA Tournament with a convincing 24-8 victory over the University of Mount Olive. The win moves the Spartans to the NCAA South Region semifinal.  INSIDE THE MATCHUP:  Final: Tampa 24, Mount Olive 8 Records: Tampa (10-0), Mount Olive (11-3) All-Time Series: Tampa leads the series 2-0  HOW IT HAPPENED: FIRST QUARTER The Spartans came out hot as Jack Wood and Bryan Wright scored two early goals that gave Tampa an early 2-0 lead. The Trojans were able to answer with a goal of their own to bring the game within one goal. Following the UMO goals, the flood gates would open for UT as they would score the final seven goals of the quarter to take a commanding lead. || UT 9, UMO 1 SECOND QUARTER Tampa would continue their offensive onslaught as they were able to score the first five goals of the second quarter to put them up 14-1. Ben French would be the leading scorer in the quarter as the senior attackman had four points on two goals and two assists. || UT 15, UMO 2 THIRD QUARTER Coming off the intermission, Tampa would again strike first, as Bryan Wright would find the back of the net off a Jack Wood assist. The remainder of the quarter would remain relatively even as each team would score three goals in the frame. Wood scored or assisted on all three goals in the quarter. || UT 18, UMO 5 FOURTH QUARTER The Spartans would put the final nail in the coffin as they would score the first four goals of the final frame to give them a 22-5 lead. Following the hot start by Tampa, the two teams would trade goals over the final 4:51 to end the game. || UT 24, UMO 8. INSIDE THE STATS

• Three Spartans finished the game with four goals, as Daniel Fitzpatrick, Ben French, and Jack Wood each recorded the feat.
• Wood would end the game with six assists, while French would have five assists.
• In total, 10 different Spartans would score a goal.
• Ross Dickerson would be dominant in the faceoff x, as he won 14-21 attempts and would scoop up 13 groundballs.
• Blake Ulmer would continue his strong play between the pipes, as he finished the game with nine saves.
• Matthew Beddow and NIck Perrot were strong for the Spartan defense as they each were able to cause three turnovers.
• UT was able to capitalize on extra-man opportunities as they would convert on 4-7 attempts, while their defense only allowed one conversion on five attempts.
• As a team, UT collected 40 groundballs as UMO had 18.

UP NEXT: The Spartans will be back in action on Sunday at noon, as they will face host school Lenoir-Rhyne in the South Region semifinal.

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