Spartans Hold On For Victory at Eckerd

Box score

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The University of Tampa (6-4-2, 2-3 SSC) men's soccer team picked up a 3-2 victory over Eckerd College (3-8-2, 1-3) to earn its second Sunshine State Conference road win of the week.

Daniel Darkwa needed less than a minute to score the first goal of the match as the Spartans grabbed the lead 50-seconds into the game. John Bentham assisted the header goal.

Leading scorer Tyler Blackwood added another goal in the 17th minute as UT would take a 2-0 lead to the half. Blackwood's goal was unassisted.

Darkwa would make it 3-0 in favor of the visiting Spartans as the defender was once again assisted by Bentham. The Tritons would make the game close with a pair of goals in a five-minute span.

Tampa goalkeeper David Niepel kept the contest scoreless for the final 20 minutes to secure the Spartan victory. The senior would finish with eight saves. Tampa outshot Eckerd 17-15, though the Tritons held a 10-9 edge in shots on goal.

The Spartans are back in action at home on Tuesday versus Saint Leo University in another SSC contest at 7 p.m., at Pepin Stadium. Live stats and a video broadcast will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.

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