Tampa to Open up 2026 Season With Two Home Contests
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's lacrosse team is set to open the 2026 season with two home contests at Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex.
The Matchups:
No. 2 University of Tampa (0-0, 0-0 SSC) vs. Florida Tech (0-0, 0-0 SSC)
Date/Time: Friday, January 30, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
No. 2 University of Tampa (0-0, 0-0 SSC) vs. No. 13 Newberry (0-0, 0-0 SAC)
Date/Time: Saturday, February 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex. 1150 W North A St, Tampa, FL 33606
Series History:
Tampa has dominated the all-time series history when facing Florida Tech, boasting a 21-1 record in 22 matchups.
The Spartans and Wolves have yet to meet and will do so for the first time on Sunday.
About the Spartans: Tampa finished the 2025 season 21-1 with its lone loss coming against Adelphi in the NCAA National Championship game. The Spartans return both Gordy Gombold and Tommy Ortega, who were USILA First Team All-Americans. Conley Stone, who was a USILA Honorable Mention, also returns for the 2026 campaign. Coach J.B. Clarke enters his fifth season as head coach of the program and has gone 4-0 in season openers. UTampa starts as the No. 2 ranked team in the USILA Preseason Poll, just behind Adelphi. The Spartans have won back-to-back SSC regular-season titles and SSC tournament championships.
About the Panthers: Florida Tech finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 6-10 and 2-5 in the SSC. The Panthers lost both their matchups against the Spartans last season and were outscored 31-14. Tampa opens its season against Florida Tech for the third time in the past four seasons.
About the Wolves: Newberry kicks off its 2026 campaign on Sunday when the program travels to Tampa, Fla., to take on the Spartans. The Wolves went 10-7 and 7-3 in the SAC, finishing fourth in the league standings. Newberry bowed out in the SAC Tournament Quarterfinal after losing 12-11 to Wingate. The Wolves are ranked No. 13 in the USILA Preseason Poll.