Spartans Play to 1-1 Tie at Florida Tech

Box score

MELBOURNE, Fla. - After 110 minutes of play, the No. 7 University of Tampa (3-0-1) and Florida Tech (3-0-1) men's soccer teams left the field with the score knotted at 1-1 in a double overtime affair.

"I told the guys there would be times when our true character would be tested when facing adversity," says head coach Adrian Bush. "Today was a big test for us to go down a goal for the first time this year and they responded well. I am proud of our effort."

Both goals occurred in the first 10 minutes of play as the final 100-plus minutes were scoreless. Florida Tech's Drake Hillman gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead with a goal in the third minute.

The Spartans would respond with an equalizer at 9:15 as leading scorer Tyler Blackwood beat the FIT goalkeeper on a through pass from teammate Alex Knaggs.

Tampa finished the contest with 20 shots, compared to 13 by the Panthers. UT also held an 11-7 advantage in shots on goal, though Tech had a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.

David Niepel finished with six saves in goal, though the Spartan defense allowed just one FIT shot on goal in overtime, compared to five for the Spartans.

Tampa opens Sunshine State Conference play on Saturday when it hosts Eckerd College at 5:30 p.m., at Pepin Stadium. UT will offer live stats and a webcast through TampaSpartans.tv.

"Today was certainly not our best performance but you have to give Florida Tech credit," says Bush. "They are a well-coached team and we must turn our focus to Eckerd on Saturday night at home."

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