Tampa Secures Ninth SSC Title with 11-5 Victory over Rollins

Tampa Secures Ninth SSC Title with 11-5 Victory over Rollins

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TAMPA, Fla. - [MLAX Tournament Page] - Tampa's men's lacrosse team captured its ninth Sunshine State Conference Tournament title on Saturday, defeating Rollins 11-5 at Naimoli Stadium. In a rematch of the 2024 championship game, the Spartans once again showcased their dominance, remaining undefeated at 18-0 on the season.

Tampa controlled the pace from the start, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter behind goals from Davis Lindsey and Rafe Bradshaw. Rollins fought back in the second quarter, tying the game at 3-3, but Tampa closed the half with a goal from Tommy Ortega to take a 4-3 advantage into halftime.

The Spartans took over in the third quarter, scoring four unanswered goals, including two from Jackson Bashaw and another from Lindsey, who finished with a hat trick and an assist. Bashaw led all scorers with four goals, adding a ground ball and a caused turnover. Tampa extended its lead in the fourth quarter with goals from Rex Kesselring and another from Bashaw to put the game out of reach.

Tampa's defense and faceoff unit played a key role in the win. Goalie Connor Theriault made 14 saves, while Tournament MVP Michael Flores and Jordan Naso combined to win 16 of 19 faceoffs, giving the Spartans critical possession advantages throughout the contest.

Rollins, who finished their season 10-8, was led by Sam Mattson's two goals, while Jack Johnstone added a goal and an assist. Despite a perfect 22-for-22 performance on clear attempts, the Tars couldn't match Tampa's firepower, managing just five goals on 28 shots.

The victory marks Tampa's second consecutive SSC Tournament championship, solidifying its position as the conference's premier program.

NCAA Postseason:

NCAA Division II postseason for men's lacrosse begins with a regional play on Wednesday, May 7th, at non-predetermined sites and concludes at the national championship on Sunday, May 25th, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The NCAA will announce postseason selections on Sunday, May 4th.