The University of Tampa men's soccer team, ranked 25th in the NSCAA
pre-season poll, held the Tampa Bay Mutiny of MLS to a 1-1 draw Wednesday at
Pepin/Rood Stadium.
The Spartans struck first in the 57th minute when All-American Roy Fink took
a pass from sophomore Jason Bell and chipped Mutiny keeper John Lowery from 30
yards out.
Mutiny defender Steve Trittschuh spoiled what looked like a Spartan victory
as he headed a bouncing ball from Craig Demmin past Spartan keeper Nick Iliff
for the equalizer with less than five minutes to play.
Tampa Bay carried the majority of possession in the first half, but a stingy
Spartan defense held tight and refused to allow a goal.
Spartan keeper Nick Iliff, who tallied eight saves, batted away a point-blank
attempt by Ali Curtis in the 20th minute on what was the Mutiny's best scoring
opportunity of the half. The Spartans nearly took a lead into the lockerroom as
Kareem Escayg settled a chip pass into the box and fired high from about 10
yards out on the left.
Tampa opens its regular season Aug. 25 at Warner Southern and will be home
Wednesday, Aug. 29 against Union (Tenn.) in a 7 p.m. game at Pepin/Rood
Stadium.
For more information, contact the Office of Public Information at publicinfo@ut.edu.