Spartans Face Tough Foe in NCAA South Regional

TAMPA, Fla. - This Friday afternoon at 4 pm, the University of Tampa men's soccer team will square off against Sunshine State Conference rival Lynn University. The Spartans have turned the tables on the Fighting Knights this season, winning both matchups between the clubs this season by a score of 4-2. The most recent of these wins came last Sunday in the final of the SSC tournament, earning the Spartans their first conference title since 2001 and their 14th overall.

"The conference title is a good accomplishment for the team, and the program as a whole," said Coach Adrian Bush. "It says a lot about the success of the program to win the 14th SSC title. To win the conference was one of our goals coming into the season, but it does not make our season."

Tampa returns to the NCAA II tournament this Friday after a six-year absence, winning the national championship in its last appearance in 2001. "We are honored to be one of the four teams in the South Regional. It is by far the toughest region in the nation, and we expect a tough battle against Lynn on Friday in our third meeting of the season."

Both teams bring impressive résumés to the contest, winning a combined 25 in-region games this season. Lynn has put together another successful season under Coach Shaun Pendleton, posting a 15-2-1 overall record with 56 goals on the season. The Fighting Knights will be looking to beat the Spartans for the first team in 2007, as both of their losses this season have come against Tampa.

"We have the greatest respect for Lynn," said Bush. "They are the benchmark in the conference, with some of the best players, one of the top coaches in the country, and are far and away the most successful program in the conference over the last five years."

Both Lynn and Tampa placed a number of players on the all-SSC teams with a total of 13 players receiving the honors. Five players from Lynn were named to the first team, and another three made the second team. Dwight Barnett and Tim Melia were named SSC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively, while Coach Pendleton was named SSC Coach of the Year. Tampa placed five players on the all-SSC second team, a sure sign of the Spartans' team-first attitude.

"There is a lot of room for players to be selfish on this team, but it is a credit to the team that they do not take advantage of it," said Bush. "They are all team players, with a team-first attitude, which has been a key to their success this season."

Coach Bush has led the Spartans to their best season under his guidance, compiling a 12-5 overall record en route to his first NCAA tournament appearance as a coach.

"There has been one focus on our mind since last Friday, and that is Lynn," said Bush. "Our entire team is focused on getting ready to play them on Friday, and we are ready for another tough battle with one of the best teams in the nation."

Live stats for the match will be provided through The University of Tampa athletics website, www.tampaspartans.com. The winner of the match will advance to the South Regional final to play the winner of the matchup between West Florida and Montevallo.