Spartans Fall to Rowdies in 12th Annual Fitz Fest

Tampa, Fla – On Tuesday night, the University of Tampa men's soccer team hosted the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the 12th annual Fitz Fest in memory of Tom Fitzgerald. Despite their best efforts, Tampa fell to the Rowdies 3-0.

Tampa Bay dominated throughout, having most of the possession in the first half and getting on the scoreboard in the 20th minute when forward Freddy Adu scored off a free kick. The Spartans tried to react and had their best chance in the closing moments of play in the first half as they finally tested visiting goalkeeper Michael Langer. However, their rhythm was cut short by the referees whistle to signal halftime.

The second half started quickly and despite the Rowdies bringing on almost an entirely new lineup, it did not take them long to add another goal as midfielder Michael Nanchoff found the back of the net less than two minutes in.

UT did their best to try to respond after falling behind but they found themselves going up against a solid defense. Tampa Bay held the Spartans without a shot on goal for almost the entire first half and most of the second as Langer was rarely tested and did not have many hard saves to make.

With the 2-0 lead, the visitors kept the pressure up and had a handful of chances that did not miss by much as well as hitting the crossbar on several occasions. Tampa Bay forward Tommy Heinemann added the final tally in the 81st minute off an assist by midfielder Georgi Hristov.

For anyone that would like to make a donation, they can be made out to; Tom Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund - Mailing address Men's Soccer attn.: Tom Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. Box I - Tampa Fl. 33606.