Spartans Clash with Moccasins for Inaugural SSC Title

TAMPA, Fla. - The sixth-ranked University of Tampa men's lacrosse will host ninth-ranked Florida Southern in the championship game of the inaugural Sunshine State Conference Tournament Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at the Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex. The Spartans defeated Rollins 13-8 last Saturday to advance to the championship game, while the Mocs defeated Saint Leo 18-7 in the other semi-finals.

The Spartans, currently ranked third in the south region, are looking to advance to its first ever postseason berth. Tampa is led by SSC player of the year Conor Whipple, SSC newcomer of the year Jake Rooney, and second team All-SSC Andrew Failla. Whipple leads the Spartans with 39 assists and 84 points, while Rooney has netted a team-high 57 goals. Failla is 10-2 in the cage this season and has a 7.13 goals against average. Tampa's back line of Larry Gress, Marty Heyn, and Nate Tembi have held opponents to 7.44 goals per game, which is eighth best in Division II this season.

Florida Southern comes into the game with an 11-3 record, including winners of seven straight games. The Mocs are led by Dane Sorensen, Grant VanOverbeke, and DJ Lubs. Sorensen leads the NCAA averaging 4.36 goals per game, including scoring 10 goals in the win over Saint Leo. VanOverbeke has tallied 35 goals and 32 assists this season while Lubs has tallied 14 caused turnovers and 25 ground balls.

The two teams squared off on March 15th with the Spartans handing Florida Southern its last defeat with a 12-6 win. In that game the Moccasins struck first but the Spartans responding three straight goals to take an early 3-1 lead. Florida Southern scored twice to even the score at 3-3 after the first period. Both teams scored twice in the second quarter to tie the game 5-5 at the break. Tampa came out strong in the second half netting five straight goals to take a 10-5 lead with 11:15 left in the fourth quarter. After a Mocs goal, Tampa scored back-to-back goals for the 12-6 final. Whipple finished the game with two goals and four assists, while Mike Morris netted three goals.

Live stats and a video webcast will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.

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