 Spartans Season Ends With Heartbreaking
Shutout
 BANNER ELK, N.C. –
The No. 10 University of Tampa men’s soccer team saw its season draw to an
end with a 1-0 loss to ninth-ranked Lees-McRae College in the NCAA
Quarterfinal on a frigid Saturday night. A quick goal cost the Spartans, who
end their season with a 17-3-1 record. With the win, the Bobcats improve to
18-2-1 and advance to the NCAA Semifinals on Dec. 3rd.
The only goal of the match came just 1:02 in, when the Bobcats charged
downfield and Jamie Bladen put one into the back of the net. Through the
remainder of the contest, the Spartans only managed two shots on goal saved
by Sean Paradise of Lees-McRae.
“This result has nothing to do with the cold weather or field conditions.
This was a very good Lees-McRae team tonight,” head coach
Adrian Bush
said following the game. “They scored a fantastic goal and really did a good
job of frustrating our attack all night.”
Ryan Thompson
finished with three saves in goal for Tampa, but the loss ends Tampa’s bid
for back-to-back final four appearances.
“We have a very disappointed locker room right now, but I’m very proud of
what this team has been able to achieve this year,” head coach
Adrian Bush
said following the game “17-3-1, third straight NCAA appearance, a
conference and regional championship—to do that in our conference speaks
volumes of the character of this team.”
The shutout also spells the end of several Spartans’ careers (Zach
Fraser, Dan
Ingvarsson,
Pascal Milien,
Ryan Thompson,
Kyle Williams)
as they finished their senior seasons.
“My heart goes out to this senior class as I know they gave our program
and university their heart and soul for four years,” Bush said. “All of them
are great soccer players but to see their growth as people off the field is
something I feel blessed to be a part of.”
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Box Score
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