Nov. 16, 2008

From Tampa Athletics

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 11 University of Tampa Spartans (17-3-1) defeated the No. 1 Lynn University Fighting Knights (18-2-0) in Sunday’s NCAA South Region final by a score of 3-2. The win advances Tampa to the NCAA II quarterfinals next weekend where they will look to continue their run at a national title.

After falling to Lynn in last weekend’s conference finals 4-0, the Spartans took control in the first half, holding the Fighting Knights scoreless and notching three goals of their own.

Junior Pascal Milien, Tampa’s leading goal scorer, put UT on the board in the fifth minute when a through ball from freshman Mike Bethel caught Milien breaking past the defense. He buried the ball behind Lynn’s Adam Alcock to give Tampa a 1-0 lead.

Just under eight minutes later, defender Dan Ingvarsson took a free kick from the top of the box to increase the lead to two. With minutes to go before halftime, Ingavarsson registered his second free kick goal of the match, this time from 35 yards out, to give the Spartans a 3-0 lead.

The first-half scoring would be enough for the Spartans as Ryan Thompson made six saves in the second half, seven total, to hold down the victory. Goals from Lynn’s Tyrell Burgess and Lee Porter wouldn’t be enough to overtake Tampa, as the Spartans held on for the 3-2 win.

In knocking off the national number one team, Tampa will next square off in the NCAA II quarterfinals.

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