TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa men’s soccer team will open the season against West Florida for third consecutive year with early hopes of earning a third straight NCAA postseason berth.

The Match: University of Tampa (0-0, 0-0 SSC) vs. West Florida (0-0, 0-0 GSC)

Date/Time: Friday, August 31 at 7 p.m.

Location: Pepin Stadium || Tampa, Fla. || 417 North Boulevard, Tampa, Fla. 33606

Last Time Out: The University of Tampa dropped a preseason match to the University of South Florida in the Rowdies Cup by a final score of 3-1. Junior Juancho Fernandez opened the scoring for Tampa after the Spartans fell behind 2-0 with a strike across the face of goal into the back of the net in the 59th minute. Junior goalkeeper Jake Richards made four saves on the night.

About the Spartans: Last season, Head coach Adrian Bush guided Tampa to its first Sunshine State Conference tournament title since 2010 and third overall. With a win, Bush will surpass Tom Fitzgerald for the most all-time career wins. Bush and Fitzgerald are currently tied with 136 wins. Richards returns for the Spartans in net after allowing just 1.25 goals per game, earning him All-SSC second team. Fernandez also returns after netting three goals and notching two assists last season. The Spartans are picked to finish second in the SSC this season after tallying four first place votes and 91 overall points.

About the Argonauts: The Argonauts finished with a 7-8-1 record last season. Midfielder Kameron Bethell was named a preseason all-conference selection after starting all 16 games last season for West Florida. West Florida also returns offensive threats Sergio Otalora (Four goals, one assist) and Erick Rivera (Three goals, two assists). The Argos are picked to finish fourth in the Gulf South Conference.

Series History: Tampa leads the all-time series against West Florida 13-4-3.

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