News

Tampa, FL – On Friday night, the University of Tampa Spartans defeated the UCF Knights 5-3 at Clearwater Ice Arena.

            Friday night’s game was a special contest for the Spartans as it celebrated the 5 Spartan seniors. These seniors include Matt Antonacci, Jake Peterson, Tommy Duddy, Ethan Turnipseed, and Josh Santoro. The Tampa Hockey class of 2017 has compiled the following list of achievements: #1 scorer in the ACHA DIII, ACHA DIII Select Team, Academic All American, 1st/2nd Team All American, South Region Player of the Year, and 1st/2nd All SCHC.

            Senior Jake Peterson began the scoring less than 2 minutes into the game to give the Spartans a quick 1-0 lead over UCF. The Knights tied up the score 3 minutes later to tie the game at 1-1. The score remained 1-1 up until the final seconds of play as Matt Antonacci scored as the horn sounded giving the Spartans a 2-1 lead to end the 1st period.

            The 2nd period saw plenty of action as Tampa put up 2 goals in the next 20 minutes of play. Matt Antonacci found the net twice during the period giving the Spartans a 3-goal lead going into the final period of play.

            In the final 20 minutes, UCF put in 2 goals while the Spartans added to their lead coming at the hands of Tommy Duddy with a top-shelf backhand move making it a score of 5-1. Tampa held on to the lead to take down the Knights. Sophomore netminder Zach Hoffman stopped 31 of 44 shots on the night.

            To view the complete scoresheet from the game, please click here

            Tampa plays UCF again on Saturday night in Orlando at the RDV at 10pm