Tampa Ends Season in SSC Tournament Quarterfinals

Box score

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The University of Tampa (6-8-3) men's soccer team closed out its 2013 season with a 2-0 loss to defending national champion Lynn University (10-5-1) on Tuesday in the Sunshine State Conference Quarterfinals.

"It's disappointing anytime a season comes to an end, especially one where we had such high expectations as a group," says head coach Adrian Bush. "Those expectations don't change year in and year out. We expect to be on the top of this conference and region."

The Spartans enjoyed a solid first half, but were unable to come away with a goal. UT outshot the Fighting Knights in the opening half by a 6-3 margin. Tampa also registered the lone two shots on goal in the opening period.

On its home field, Lynn would break the deadlock in the 59th minute on a goal by Matthias Jaenicke. The Fighting Knights would add another late goal, in the 82nd minute, from Anthony Desperito.

Overall, Lynn outshot the Spartans 13-7, including a 7-2 edge on shots on goal. Tampa goalkeeper David Niepel came away with four saves. Leading scorer Tyler Blackwood had a team-high three shots for the Spartans.

The Spartans end a 2013 season where they were nationally ranked and had seven losses that were decided by two or less goals. Tampa expects to return a large number of players next season, with 10 of its 11 starters eligible to compete in 2014.

"There are certainly lessons to be learned from this past season and I trust these hard lessons will make us a stronger unit in 2014. We lose David (Niepel) and Alex (Knaggs), who has a year of eligibility if he chooses, and I want to thank those two players for the commitment they gave this program in their careers. They are both great players, but most important, they are great people who will find success in everything they do."

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