Box Score
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa broke open a stalemate halftime score with a flurry of goals in the second half to eventually pull away from the Eckerd College men's soccer program on Tuesday night at Pepin Stadium, 5-1.
The Spartans (4-1-2, 0-0-0 SSC) generated all of their scoring in the final 45 minutes of regulation, paced by a pair of goals from NSCAA All-American junior forward Tyler Blackwood.
Eckerd senior midfielder
Daniel Lopez converted a penalty kick in the 87th minute for the Tritons (2-4-2, 0-0-0 SSC) to thwart the shutout bid.
For both teams, the match was still a non-conference final as the "Plus Four" scheduling portion of the regular season came to an end. EC will officially begin Sunshine State Conference play later this week at Florida Tech.
Tampa was ranked 11th in the nation before the announcement of the most updated NSCAA Top-25 Coaches' Poll earlier this afternoon. Following a loss against Florida Southern College, the Spartans tumbled into the unranked pool.
The Tritons and Spartans battled to a scoreless score at halftime as a defensive struggle formed right off the opening whistle.
Senior captain and midfielder
Mark Lee returned to the lineup after missing four straight games while recovering from an injury. But Lee was helped off the field in early in the second half, the same sequence that left Tampa poised with a penalty kick after a foul was called in the box.
Blackwood converted in the one-on-one situation in the 51st minute. Just 10 minutes later, Blackwood headed in another ball, his seventh goal of the season.
The Spartans reeled off additional goals in the 78th, 82nd, 84th minutes, to seal the final decision.
By way of the header, the Tritons' offense had their best chance against Tampa goalkeeper David Niepel on several looks in the box.
Junior
Matt Dolan was the recipient of a beautiful cross from
Tyler Allen that was saved at the last second and later in the final period, junior
Connor Montgomery and freshman
Shakeem Albouy kept Niepel on his heels with back-to-back headers that appeared to be headed for the net.
Lopez beat Niepel with his second goal of the fall season with the penalty kick. He is now second on the team in points with a pair of goals and assists to his season stat line.
Junior captain
Dean Hobbis was also injured and had to be assisted off the field in the second half. The Tritons continued to play without the service of a number of upperclassman starters.
The Tritons will look to get back on track in their SSC opener against the Panthers of Florida Tech in Melbourne on Saturday with a 7:30 p.m. start time scheduled on the road.
