Spartans Set to Host Belmont Abbey in a Top-Ten Showdown

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 7 University of Tampa men's lacrosse team is set to host the No. 10 Belmont Abbey Crusaders on Wednesday, March 14^th at 8:00 p.m.

The Matchup: No. 7 University of Tampa (6-1) vs. No. 10 Belmont Abbey College (5-1) 

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 14^th at 8:00 p.m.

Location: Naimoli Family Intramural and Athletic Complex | Tampa, Fla.

Last Time Out: The Spartans were defeated by the No. 8 Colorado Mesa Mavericks by a final score of 10-9. In the matchup, Jake Mosher McGraw had three goals for the Spartans, followed by Bryan Wright and Matt Vetter each with two. Additionally, Vetter had two assists for UT.  Luke Robideaux and Luke Posner headed the Spartans defensive efforts. Robideaux had two caused turnovers and two groundballs, while Posner had one caused turnover and five groundballs for UT. Sophomore Ross Dickerson won 18-24 faceoffs for Tampa, in addition to recording 11 ground balls. Due to his stellar performance, he earned the Sunshine State Conference Specialist of the week. B.J. Borowski played keeper for the Spartans, logging 11 saves in the game.

About the Spartans: Tampa finished last season 15-5 overall, undefeated in the Sunshine State Conference. Key returners for the Spartans include Andrew Kew, Jake Mosher McGraw, Bryan Wright, Luke Posner, Matt Vetter, and Jack Tyrrell.  

Kew, a USILA first-team All-American, All SSC first team selection, and a 2018 USILA Player of the Year Watch List recipient, returns as the Spartans main offensive threat. The Oakville, Ontario native led all of Division II last season with 86 goals, averaging 4.3 goals per game. In his 2018 campaign, the junior currently sits with 19 goals and four assists for the Spartans. Also, returning at attack for the Spartans, is the sophomore duo of Mosher McGraw and Wright. All SSC second-team selection, Jake Mosher McGraw was second to Kew with 29 goals last season, including two during the national semifinal matchup. This season Mosher McGraw sits with 11 goals and eight assists. Wright rounds out the Spartans three returning offensive weapons contributing 25 goals and 14 assists last season. Additionally, he was an all SSC freshman team selection. Currently, Wright is second on the team in goals with 18, he also has two assists.

Captain Luke Posner returns for UT for his senior campaign. The Madisonville, La, native was an All SSC second-team selection last season and led the Spartans in ground balls with 46. Additionally, he recorded 20 caused turnovers for UT. This year, Posner leads UT with eight caused turnovers and has 14 ground balls for the Spartans. Junior midfielder Matt Vetter, was a SSC All Championship Team selection last season. He is one of the most well-rounded athletes for the Spartans, having recorded 22 goals, 10 assists, and 11 ground balls in 2017. Vetter has started his 2018 run picking up right where he left off, and currently has 10 goals and eight assists for UT. Also at the midfield position, and the last key returner is junior Jack Tyrell. Tyrell, an All SSC second-team selection stated 39 ground balls and caused 30 turnovers for the Spartans last season. Currently, Tyrell has 16 ground balls and two caused turnovers for the Spartans.

The Spartans main faceoff specialist this season has been sophomore Ross Dickerson. Dickerson has won 99-130 faceoffs this season in addition to recording 49 ground balls for UT. The sophomore has won SSC Specialist of the Week three times this year, and currently ranks second in the conference in faceoff percentage (.762) as well as ground balls per game (7.0). Finally, this season the Spartans have used freshman B.J. Borowski in the cage. Borowski sits with 61 saves and has a goals against average of 7.85.

About the Crusaders: The Crusaders are currently 5-1 this season, ranked No. 10 according to the USILA Coaches Poll. This season's main highlight for the Crusaders was when they defeated the No. 19 Queens University Royals by a final score of 10-4. The Crusaders enter tomorrow's matchup coming off their only loss on the season against the No. 5 Lenoir-Rhyne Bears 10-4. The Crusaders have three players with ten or more goals. These players include #3 Callum Tanner who leads the team with 13, #21 Liam Osborne and #27 Adam Wiedemann who each have 10. Osborne and Wiedemann also each have 11 assists. Defensively, the Spartans should be aware of #29 Anthony Cesario who leads the Crusaders with 13 caused turnovers and 16 ground balls. Belmont Abbey's faceoff specialist is #11 Billy Huss who has recorded 72-123 wins, while they use #34 Harley Whitham as the primary keeper. Whitham has logged 57 saves and has a goals against average of 6.87.

Series History (Men's): The Spartans have never won a matchup against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. BAC leads the all-time series over UT 2-0.  

Tickets: Tickets for are $5 for adults, senior citizens and coaches. Children under 12 will be admitted free. UT students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with a valid student ID.