#9 Tampa Falls to Top-Ranked Lynn On the Road

TAMPA, Fla. - In a battle of national top 10 teams, the ninth-ranked University of Tampa Spartans fell to the No. 1 Lynn University Fighting Knights by a score of 4-1. The loss drops Tampa to 6-2-1 and 1-2 in the Sunshine State Conference, while Lynn (10-0, 2-0 SSC) remains undefeated.

The Spartans dominated play in the first half, generating several opportunities in the offensive zone. After Lynn's Adam Alcock made a diving save on a shot by Ryan Griffin, Tampa broke through in the 22nd minute as sophomore Andrej Gulan put the rebound past the Fighting Knights goalkeeper.

With Tampa up 1-0 and outshooting Lynn, it appeared as though the Spartans were in control until Tampa's Greg Sasser was issued a red card late in the first half which proved costly for the Spartans.

When asked about the red card issued with almost 60 minutes remaining in the game, Tampa head coach Adrian Bush responded, "The people watching the game can make their own views on the decision by the referee. We had four total fouls in the first half and one was a straight red card on a 50/50 tackle at midfield. "

In losing a man on the field, the momentum quickly shifted in Lynn's favor.

Bush continued, "I respect his decision and I'm proud of the way our players handled themselves while down a man with that much time to go and away versus the number one team in the nation. I just feel bad for my players and the fans who paid money to watch the game."

While Tampa was able to finish the first half leading 1-0, it was all Fighting Knights to conclude the contest.

Lynn registered three goals over a ten-minute span to sink the Spartans. Senior Tyrell Burgess headed a cross past Tampa goalkeeper Ryan Thompson to knot the match at 1-1. Burgess' goal was followed quickly by another header from Lee Porter that would hold up as the game-winner.

The Fighting Knights would add two more goals to put the score at 4-1 and out of reach of the Spartans.

Tampa will resume play on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Pepin Stadium against Rollins in their third consecutive SSC matchup.