TAMPA, FLA.  – In a battle of top five teams, the No. 5 Maryville men's lacrosse team suffered its first loss of the season at No. 2 Tampa. Playing in hot and humid conditions in Florida, the host Spartans grabbed the early lead and downed the Saints 14-3. Wyatt Robertson notched a hat trick for Maryville, while Evan Alfano made a career-high 12 saves in net.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans took an early lead on a goal in the second minute of action. Tampa extended its advantage to 4-0 before the Saints struck. Ben Mickett found Robertson as the Saints got on the scoreboard to make it 4-1 after the opening period. Tampa blanked the Saints in the second quarter to take an 8-1 lead at the break.
 
The Saints were unable to make any headway into their deficit as Tampa expanded its advantage in the third quarter and early into the fourth. Robertson shook loose for Maryville's second goal of the day off an assist from Caiden Moon. Later in the quarter, Jack Tocko fed Robertson who converted to complete his hat trick.
 
The Saints had six CTs and forced Tampa into 16 turnovers.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Goals: Wyatt Robertson - 3
Assists: Ben Mickett, Caiden Moon, Jack Tocko - 1
Points: Wyatt Robertson - 3
Ground Balls: Shea Raeburn - 3
Caused Turnovers: Aiden Siegfried - 2
Faceoff Wins: Shea Raeburn and Jared Zabel - 3
Saves: Evan Alfano - 12
 
RECORDS
No. 5 Maryville: 3-1
No. 2 Tampa: 7-0
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints return home to the Maryville Athletic Complex to host Westminster (Utah) for a contest Saturday, March 7, in an 11 a.m. start.