Spartans Look to End Losing Skid Against the Bears

HICKORY, N.C. - Men's lacrosse travels to Hickory, North Carolina, for a matchup with No. 7 Lenoir-Rhyne. The Spartans look to avoid four consecutive defeats to the Bears and hope to start the season 3-0 for the second consecutive year.

The Matchup:

No. 2 University of Tampa (2-0, 0-0 SSC) vs. No. 7 Lenoir-Rhyne (0-0, 0-0 SAC)
Date/Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

Location: Helen and Leonard Moretz Stadium. 625 7th Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601

Series History: 

Despite leading the all-time series history 7-5, the Spartans have lost three straight to the Bears.

About the Spartans: The No. 2 team in the country opened the season with two home victories over Florida Tech and No. 13 Newberry. Westin Schmidt picked up SSC Defensive Player of the Week accolades after producing two solid outings in net for Tampa. Grant Green and Tommy Ortega lead the team in goals, both having tallied six up to this point. Zack Friend and Green have accounted for the most points thus far (8). The program is averaging 12.50 goals per game and 41.50 shots per game. MP Thomas is 24-45 from the X and has 10 groundballs, just one more than defender Conley Stone.

About the Bears: Lenoir-Rhyne was supposed to open up the 2026 season at home versus UIndy, but the game was cancelled due to weather. The Bears first contest of 2026 will be against the Spartans on Saturday afternoon. LRU went 14-4 last season and 8-2 in the South Atlantic Conference. The program advanced to the NCA Tournament but fell to Wingate. Lenoir-Rhyne was tabbed third in the SAC Preseason Coaches poll and is No. 7 in the country according to the USILA Preseason Poll. LRU has won the last three matchups versus UTampa by just a combined five goals. Two of the games were decided by just one goal.