No. 5 Spartans Defeat No. 14 Queens Royals In Season Opener

TAMPA, Fla. – The fifth-ranked University of Tampa Spartans opened up the 2020 season with a top-15 battle as they hosted the 14th ranked Queens University of Charlotte Royals. Nine different Spartans scored as they claimed a 14-10 victory.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: Final: No. 5 Tampa Spartans 14, No. 14 Queens Royals 10

Records: Tampa (1-0), Alabama-Huntsville (0-2)

Location: Naimoli Field | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: The Spartans lead the all-time series over the Royals 5-0 after today's victory.

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How It Happened:

First Quarter|| Cole Witman started things off for the Spartans by scoring five minutes into the game. After the Royals tied the game, Bryan Wright put the Spartans back on top as he scored with five minutes left in the half and again with 2:19 left in the half, giving UT a 3-1 lead. Queens would add a goal for themselves just 20 seconds later to end the half down by one. || 3-2 Tampa

Second Quarter || Harry Kikowski scored the first two goals of the quarter as he netted goals at the 12:34 and 12:11 marks. Wright would score the next goal to push the lead to 6-2. The two teams would trade goals throughout the remainder of the quarter as Sam Collingwood and Shane Hanlon each scored their first goals of the season. || 8-5 Tampa

Third Quarter || UT would continue to extend their lead as they would outscore QU 4-1 in the quarter. Jack Wood would score his first two goals of his career in the period, while Owen Miller and Wright would also add one goal. || 12-6 Tampa

Fourth Quarter || The Royals would outscore the Spartans in the final frame as they were able to pull within four goals at 14-10. Jake Mosher McGraw and Luke McAnaney would score for UT in the final frame. || 14-10 Tampa

Inside the Stats:

· Wright led the game in goals, as he scored four.

· Wood would collect three assists and two goals in his collegiate debut.

· Ross Dickerson won 18-25 face offs, scooping up 11 groundballs.

· Sam Collingwood and Scott Phillips each caused three turnovers.

· As a team, the Spartans outshot the Royals 50-33.

· Tampa also won the turnover battle as they had 10, while Queens had 17.

Beyond the Box:

· This is the fifth time in Bryan Wright's career that he scored four goals in a single game.

· Tampa has now won four straight games at Naimoli Field.

· The Spartans are now 8-1 all-time in season openers.

Up Next: The Spartans will be back in action next Saturday, February 15th as they welcome in the Young Harris College Mountain Lions. The game is set to begin at 1:00 p.m. 

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