Tars Come Up Short Against Spartans

TAMPA, Fla. (April 2, 2022) – The Tars battled back and forth with the top-ranked Spartans, but could not close the gap late, falling 15-11, in the Bay Area.  The loss is the Tars' first of the season, as they sit at 8-1 overall, and 1-1 in Sunshine State Conference action.  The Spartans remain unbeaten, at 10-0 overall and 2-0 against SSC opposition.
 
The Tars got a hat trick from senior captain Finn Jent.  Grant Hansen led the Tars in points, finding the back of the net once, and dishing out three assists, for four total points.  Jack Johnstone and Bailey Pringle each scored twice.  Charlie Rask forced three turnovers to lead the defense in front of Bradley Peterson, who tallied eight saves on the day.
 
Luke McAnaney registered a game high six points, coming on four goals and two assists.  Colin Davis added a hat trick.  Harry Kilkowski tallied a trio of assists.  Blake Ulmer made nine saves, playing the full 60 minutes in cage for the Spartans.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Quarter

• Jack Johnstone found Bailey Pringle as the Tars scored on a fast break off the opening whistle.
• The Spartans responded with a pair of goals, taking a 2-1 lead.
• Grant Hansen beat his man and scored unassisted to knot the score at 2-2.
• The Spartans would pull ahead with another goal, but again Rollins responded, this time in the form of Finn Jent.
• The Spartans would close the quarter with a pair of unanswered goals, taking a 5-3 lead into the first break.

Second Quarter

• Both teams took and prolonged break, and a weather delay forced an extended intermission between the first and second quarters.
• The two teams traded goals for the entire second period.
• Tampa opened the scoring, but Justin White fought back,  scoring off a Hansen assist.
• Another pair of Spartan goals were answered by scores from Jent and Marshall Ellison.
• Tampa would cap the quarter with a final goal, as Rollins trailed 9-6 at the half.

Third Quarter

• Tampa opened the second half with the first goal, but defender Justin Isenhour found the back of the net to keep the Rollins deficit at three.
• Back-to-back Spartan goals opened the lead up to five goals, but Rollins responded with a pair of their own.  Pringle and Jent each scored in the final 75 seconds of the third to keep Rollins in striking distance.

Fourth Quarter

• After both teams earned hard fought defensive stops, Johnstone tallied the first goal of the final frame with 7:49 on the clock, cutting the Spartans' advantage to 12-10.
• As the Tars pushed for a turnover, Tampa was able to take advantage and score a trio of goals late to grow their lead to five.
• Johnstone registered a consolation goal for Rollins, with just over half a minute remaining, off an assist from Ben Kopen, but it was not enough for Rollins late.

UP NEXT:
The Tars will return to Barker Family Stadium as they look to return to their winning ways against Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday, April 6.  Faceoff is set for 8 p.m.
 
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