In a game that was dubbed the “Spartan Blackout,” the No. 8 University of Tampa men’s soccer team secured a share of the regular season SSC title with a 5-1 victory over Saint Leo Oct. 29.
With the win, the Spartans take the No. 2 seed and will host the SSC Tournament in accordance with conference rules.
The rules stipulate that the same school cannot host both the women’s and men’s tournaments, and the women’s top seed and men’s second seed host in odd years.
Both Rollins teams earned top seeds, meaning UT will host the men’s tournament.
Tampa took an early lead against the Lions on a Lister Warren goal in the 20th minute, the first of three he would score in the game, earning him SSC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
“I was elated,” Warren said of his hat trick, the first of the senior’s collegiate career.
The Spartans took off in the second half, leading 5-0 by the 61st minute. In addition to Warren’s hat trick, Karl Swan and Greg O’Connor scored goals for UT.
UT out shot Saint Leo 30-10, while senior goalie Ryan Thompson stopped four shots, allowing no goals during his time in the net.
The game was also Senior Night for UT, and a raucous crowd of 954 fans “blacked out” in support of their team.
UT head coach Adrian Bush acknowledged the large crowd’s support that night and hopes fans will come out for their tournament match and create another electric atmosphere.
“They’ve been our 12th man,” Bush said of the fans. “They’ve come out and supported our program all season. Hopefully we can get some of those black shirts back out.”
“There were a lot of people who had never come to a soccer game before,” senior Pascal Milien said. “We want to make sure we give it a good show so they can come back again.”
Bush expects his whole team to step up in the tournament, but also noted that he expects big performances out of his seniors.
“This may be the last time they ever play on our field. It’s a reality, there’s no guarantee we’ll advance or host regionals.”
The seniors also expect big performances of themselves.
“Everything that’s happened before is done with,” Warren said. “It’s a new beginning.”
“It’s business now,” Milien added.
The Spartans will play their first SSC Tournament match Friday at 8 p.m.
Tampa will take on No. 6 ranked Nova Southeastern.
Nova defeated Lynn University on Nov. 3.
The winner of the Tampa, Nova match will advance to a Sunday afternoon game.
The opponent is yet to be determined.
Ryan Burkett can be reached at rburkett@ut.edu.
