TAMPA, Fla. - The Flagler College men's lacrosse team dropped their first road match of the season against No. 2 (USILA Division II Top 25)  University of Tampa 13-8 Saturday night at the Naimoli Family Athletic Complex.

Tampa remained undefeated at 3-0 while evened its record at 1-1. The Saints return home to face Florida Tech on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.

Trading goals within the three minutes of regulation, the Saints found themselves in a 13-4 hole as halftime expired. Trace McDonald opened the scoring up for the Saints with a diving shot into the crease, three minutes in. Garrett Moore notched his first of two for the match from an assist off of Beau Howard. The first quarter ended with Jack Pilla scoring his first goal three minutes remaining. 

The second quarter was quieter, as the both teams only scored a combine five goals. Midfielder Tyler Douglass was the lone Saint to find the net, scoring halfway through the quarter. The Saints however, strengthened their defense by forcing two crucial turnovers against the Spartans.

The second half was significantly more favorable for the Saints campaign. Holding the Spartans to only one shot on goal and zero points, the Saints caused three turnovers, one by Ethan Lyles and one by Pilla, and forced two shot clock violations against Tampa. Adding to their effort, McDonald opened up the scoring again for the team as well as Ben Nyberg found his only goal of the game.

The Saints and Spartans went on a shootout to close out the fourth quarter, exchanging five goals among each other. Pilla and Moore found their second goal while Douglass assisted Moore on his. Defensively, Nyberg was the only Saint to cause a turnover in this quarter.

Ryan Kemp led Tampa with four goals while Ortega scored three goals and had an assist. Grant Green finished with three goals. Michael Florres scooped up 10 ground balls. Connor Theriault recorded 15 saves.