PENSACOLA — The University of Tampa men’s soccer team (12-5) completed a hat trick of victories, defeating Lynn University (14-3-1) 2-1. Tampa advanced to the sweet sixteen in the NCAA Division II playoffs with the win.
Ryan Thompson improved his perfect record to 4-0 as a starter. Captain Devin Shaw overcame an otherwise mediocre season by posting both of Tampa’s scores.
“I cannot believe I scored twice” Shaw said. “I’ve never had two goals in my life. I’ve never even shot that well. I’m on cloud nine, that’s all there is.”
After Ricardo Cardoso opened with the first shot on goal for either team in the 13th minute, Lynn took control of the game.
Tampa amassed only two more shots on goal in the half while Lynn doubled the effort by posting six. Not only did Lynn have twice as many shots, but they also had twice as many corners in the first by a 4-2 edge. Tampa reacted by doubling Lynn’s fouls 10-5. Lynn retaliated in the second half, fouling Tampa nine times.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Coach Adrian Bush commented on the physical play. “We had to stay disciplined and focused. They didn’t let the fouls get to them and take them out of the big picture, the result.”
The first half ended with a 1-0 Tampa lead after Devin Shaw’s 24th minute spin around a defender to break away and score.
In the second half, the Spartans finally answered the Fighting Knights offensive attack. Just two minutes in, Shaw again found a way past the Lynn keeper leaving two Tampa goals unanswered. Ryan Maxwell continued the offensive surge, sending two shots high and left. Maxwell posted three of Tampa’s seven shots in the second half.
A veteran Lynn team did not fold under pressure. They posted twelve shots on goal in the second half, seven of them saved by keeper Ryan Thompson. The lead was cut in half in the 77th minute but the late effort remained the only response Lynn could muster.
The University of Tampa will face the University of Montevallo Falcons (17-3-0) after the Falcons overcame the West Florida Argos (18-2-0) 2-1. The Spartans have not faced the Falcons this year, but dropped an early season game to the Argos at home 0-4. Tampa faces Montevallo on Sunday, November 11 at 2 p.m.
“We had unbelievable teamwork, this was not an individual deal,” said Bush. “The next game isn’t going to be any easier.”
