Mercaldo and Tampa Shine in Win Over Belmont Abbey
via Tampa press release/website
TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa defeats Belmont Abbey in return home from two-game road stretch.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mitchell Pfeiffer opened up the scoring just forty seconds in for Tampa after a Ryan Kemp assist. The Spartans would later double their lead after Andrew Milani found the back of the net. Belmont Abbey would respond just over a minute later to cut the Spartan’s lead to one. UT would reel off three more goals to end the quarter with a 5-2 lead over Belmont Abbey. Tampa’s offense would continue to stay hot in the second quarter rattling off the first seven goals. Nick Papa would add his second goal of the game while Jackson Bashaw, Charlie Bolesh, and Alex Poma would grab their first of the game. The Spartans would lead 13-3 heading into halftime. UT would continue to be dominant on both sides only conceding four times in the second half while adding on seven more goals to defeat Belmont Abbey, 18-7.
Stat of the Game – Luca Mercaldo tallied 14 saves.
TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES
- The Spartans have won two straight.
- Have scored 15-plus goals for the third time this season.
- Mercaldo had 14 saves.
- Birch, Papa, and Pfeiffer each netted hattricks.
- Tampa was a perfect 28-28 on clears.
UP NEXT – Tampa heads to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on Wingate on Saturday, March 9, at 11:00 AM.
