MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Florida Tech men's lacrosse team battled with No. 2 Tampa but falls to the Spartans in the regular season finale on Wednesday, Apr. 15.
 
GAME INFORMATION 
Score: No. 7 Florida Tech 5 | No. 2 Tampa 6
Records: No. 7 Florida Tech 11-3 (6-1 SSC) | No. 2 Tampa 16-1 (7-0 SSC)
Location: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Florida 
 
GAME NOTES
FIRST QUARTER

• Tampa won the opening faceoff and fired a shot on the Tech net within the first minute, but Jax Francisco was there to make the save.
• Brooks van Esselstyn energized the crowd as he scored off a pass from Ryan Chancer.
• In the next four possessions, both teams turned the ball over twice.
• The Spartan defense held up against the Panthers as they forced a shot clock violation.
• Francisco made three saves in the Spartans next two times on offense.
• Tampa fired a barrage on the Florida Tech goal under three minutes as they launched four shots, all missing high and wide.
• The Spartans tied the score at 1-1 with 49 seconds to play in the first.

SECOND QUARTER

• Both defenses remained prominent as both teams combined for five turnovers in the next six possessions.
• Off a save by Francisco, the Panthers were off and running in transition as Garrett Gmeiner scooped the ball up and got it to Zack Ough, Ough found Brooks van Esselstyn with space to work with as he fired through the wickets on the Tampa goalie.
• Tampa immediately got the point back with a goal with 3:10 remaining in the half.
• The Spartans won the ensuing faceoff and fired three shots at the Panther net, two were saved by Francisco.
• Tampa was able to steal the lead going into halftime with a goal with 44 seconds remaining.

THIRD QUARTER

• The Florida Tech defense was dominant in the third quarter as the Spartans first four possessions ended in three saves by Jax Francisco and the other a shot clock violation.
• Under five minutes, Brooks van Esselstyn caused a Tampa turnover. Max Henry found Parker Kane cutting in front of the Spartan net as he fired one home to tie the game at 3-3.
• Tech had an opportunity to take the lead, but Tampa's defense blocked a shot from Aidan Addison.
• The Panthers shut out the Spartans in the quarter despite Tampa getting nine shots off.

FOURTH QUARTER

• Tampa took the lead early in the fourth with a goal with 12:34 on the clock.
• The Spartans took advantage of another Panther miscue as they scored again to take a 5-3 lead.
• Aidan Addison brought the Panthers back within one as he spun off his defender and shot left-handed through the legs of the Tampa goalie.
• On defense, Tampa caused a turnover then a long stick defender ran all the way the field and put one into the Panthers net to go ahead 6-4.
• With 2:10 left to play, Steve Ulrichs picked up the ground ball after a turnover he caused. He went down the field and fired at the Tampa net, but the Spartan goalkeeper made a great save to keep Tech off the board.
• Joe Coveleski scored just before the final horn sounded to get the Panthers within one, but with no time on the clock, Tampa went on to win.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• With 13 saves tonight, Jax Francisco notched his 700^th career save.
• Brooks van Esselstyn led the Panthers in scoring with two goals tonight.
• The Panther defense was excellent as they forced the Spartans into 16 turnovers including 10 caused turnovers which Steve Ulrichs led the way with three. Ulrichs added four ground balls.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will now turn their attention to the 2026 SSC Tournament where they earned a first-round bye as the two seed. They will face the winner of Saint Leo versus Embry-Riddle. Tech will host the winner of that game on Wednesday, Apr. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Rick Stottler Field.