MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech men's lacrosse put up a fight in the first half, but a tough third quarter would see the Panthers fall in the season opener against No. 2 Tampa, 15-6.

"We played a great first half but didn't put together a complete game. There are plenty of things we need to learn from this experience," said Coach MacArthur. "It's important to have this measuring stick early in the year. We'll watch the film, dissect areas for improvement, and start getting ready for North Greenville."
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 6, #2 Tampa 15
Records: Florida Tech (0-1, 0-0 SSC) | #2 Tampa (1-0, 0-0 SSC)
Locations: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Fla.

FIRST QUARTER: 

• Despite tough defense at the start of the game, Tampa took an early lead under four minutes into the game.
• The early deficit did not discourage the Panthers from holding strong on defense. The Spartans would not score again in the quarter and turned the ball over four times.
• Tech evened the score as the quarter was nearing an end. In his first action as a Panther, Thomas Strong made his presence known, sniping a goal to tie the game, with 56 seconds to go.

SECOND QUARTER: 

• The second quarter flipped the script as the offense got rolling. Twenty seconds into the quarter, the Panthers took their first lead of the game on a Jack Cornwell goal.
• However, Tampa responded with two quick goals for a 3-2 advantage, with 12:55 on the clock.
• It didn't take long for the Panthers to tie it back up. Twenty seconds after losing the lead, Strong made another appearance, scoring his second goal.
• The tie held until Tampa ended it with under 10 minutes remaining in the half. The Spartans extended their lead three minutes later to go ahead 5-3.
• Again, the Panthers ended the quarter strong. Joe Coveleski received a pass from Gavin Stecher for the score, going down by one at the break.

THIRD QUARTER: 

• Tampa made halftime adjustments and came out swinging in the third. The Spartans scored four unanswered in the first six minutes of the quarter.
• Coveleski ended the Spartan run with his second goal with 7:20 remaining.
• Tampa tacked on two more before the quarter was finished.

FOURTH QUARTER: 

• The Spartans again found their stride towards the beginning of the quarter, recording two goals in less than three minutes. Tampa scored their final two goals with under six to play.
• Steve Ulrichs found open Brooks Van Esselstyn, tallying one more before the final whistle blew.

NOTABLE PANTHERS: 

• Joe Coveleski and Thomas Strong led the team, each registering two goals.
• Brooks Van Esselstyn and Jack Cornwell also found the net.
• Steve Ulrichs and Gavin Stecher helped facilitate two scores, each recording an assist.
• Carter Batt went 6-for-12 at the X.
• Jax Francisco posted 14 saves in net for a .483 save percentage.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Tampa ended with more shots (39-26) and ground balls (23-9).
• Each team had 17 turnovers.
• Tech recorded more saves (14-7).
• The Panthers scored 20-22 on the clears, while Tampa scored 17-22.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech moves to 1-20 all-time against Tampa
• For the second time in three years Florida Tech opened their season at home against Tampa
• Jack Cornwell and Thomas Strong each recorded their first goals in a Panther uniform.

UP NEXT: Florida Tech remains at home to compete against North Greenville at Rick Stottler Field on Saturday, February 8, at 11 a.m. ET.
 
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