By Matthew Restrepo
The University of Tampa men’s soccer team beat the Clayton State Lakers during their first game home after a win and a loss on their trip north.
Theo Maye and Rodrigo Lopes once again scored goals both in the second half to get past the reigning Peach Belt champions.
The Spartans had 22 shots, while Clayton State had 15 shots. Five yellow cards took over the game with two going towards Tampa and three towards Clayton State.
The Spartans were able to create many opportunities to score in the first half along with the Lakers also having some chances in the middle of the first half. A goal came quickly in the second half with an assist from Alex Dollard for Theo Maye to score his second goal of the season.
The second goal by Rodrigo Lopes came in the 71st minute with an assist by Viggo Svedin. After scoring, Lopes slid across the grass on his knees doing an archery celebration.
The only goal of the game by Clayton State was in the 73rd minute.
Both teams continued their attack back-to-back with each team getting a yellow card just a few minutes from the end of the game.
The game ended with the Spartans celebrating and a Laker player walking off the field, throwing his shin guard into the ground.
Pete Petersen, the head coach of the Lakers, said he did not make any changes at halftime and thought the Spartans were predictable. He said the Spartans did a good job adjusting at halftime.
During halftime, Tampa head coach Adrian Bush said he made changes to a 4-3-3 formation. This led to the two goals in the second half which would put the Spartans past the Lakers.
“Our mistakes are what created their chances,” said Bush.
After the game, Tampa midfielder Cherif Tammar said that the team needs to make quicker passes and take away some of the risks on defense.
Before the game, Bush said how important this game was. He said winning regional games is very important to make it to the NCAA tournament because there are only five spots guaranteed for the winner of each conference, and the other five teams in the super region have to fight for it.
“The result in this game, even though it’s the third game of the season, could very well determine if we make the NCAA tournament or we’re left out,” said Bush before the game.
Bush said the team was able to do fitness on Monday and Tuesday and had an entire week to prepare for the Lakers. He said there will be a midweek game leading up to the conference games most weeks.
“It’s one of a few weeks in college soccer that we actually could practice,” said Bush.
Before the game, Bush said Gabriel Herrera was out due to rolling an ankle, but Alexandre Badji and Robert Taylor would be making their comeback for the game versus Clayton State.
He said before the game that the key to their team was the holding mid.
Bush said before the game that you can’t let Vic Delgado Miller and Aaron Diaz build the attack so that they can’t control the game.
Goalkeeper Alex Hare saved 10 of the 11 shots but said he should save every shot.
“I’ve had two years at my previous schools. I didn’t really play too much, so to be able to be at a program and be playing games and making crucial saves is a really good feeling,” said Hare.
Bush said the Lakers played their backup keeper, David Magala, due to an injury that affected their starter.
The Spartans will continue their season on the road against Flagler, another Peach Belt Conference team, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m.