Sports Lowdown

Austen Zugelter - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography  The Tampa Spartans proved why they are the class of the field on Sunday, beating the Florida Tech Panthers 12-8 and earning their fourth straight Sunshine State Conference championship in the process. Austen Zugelter had a hat trick and Carson Clough had two goals and an assist for the Panthers, in a losing cause. Matt Vetter had three goals and an assist to lead the Spartans. The first half of the game was tightly contested, with the teams trading goals throughout. Tampa (15-4) jumped out to a 2-0 lead, before Clough and Tyler Covey tallied for the Panthers, tying the game with 5:53 to go in the first quarter. Sean Herdman scored his second of the day 46 seconds later, but he was answered by Zugelter, with 1:25 to go. As has been the case on a few separate occasions this season, the Panthers gave up a goal late in the period, when Bryan Wright beat Florida Tech goalie Daniel Flock , with two seconds ...

Sam Schiano - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography The Florida Tech Women’s lacrosse team has had a flare for the dramatic this season, but on Sunday, they just couldn’t find their way toward a comeback in the Sunshine State Conference title game, losing to defending SSC and NCAA champion Florida Southern, 20-12. It was the first trip to the championship game for the Panthers, who are in their third year as a program under Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year Corinne Desrosiers. She won the award for the second consecutive year, earlier this week. They have grown by leaps and bounds just from last season to this one, but on Sunday, the Moccasins took control early and the Panthers could not any kind of sustained run, to swing the momentum. Florida Southern (19-2) took the lead 58 seconds into the game on a goal by Kendall Kerge. She beat Florida Tech goalie Stephanie Stuart 58 seconds into the game and that sparked a 6-0 run by the Mocs. Stuart would come...

Allie Modica - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography For the second time in eight days, the Florida Tech Panthers took down the Rollins Tars in an instant classic. The Panthers overcame a five-goal deficit to win 19-14 and earn a spot in Sunday’s Sunshine State Conference title game against the Florida Southern Moccasins. Last Thursday, the Tars led early in the regular season finale and the Panthers came back to win. They did so again on Friday, jumping out to a 5-0 lead, only to see the Panthers storm back and win again. It was a total team effort on Friday, with Allie Modica leading the charge with five goals and an assist. Caroline Dunleavy tallied four times and had an assist. Aleah Fjelstad also had four goals, while Sara Grenier had a hat trick and Mary Gormley had four assists. The Panthers took 39 shots, 33 on goal. They forced 27 turnovers, while Rollins got 21. The Tars did have a 19-13 advantage in ground balls and held an 18-15 edge in draw con...

Carson Clough amassed sedven points Friday night in the Panthers win - Photo credit: James Ragan The Florida Tech Panthers outscored Lynn 5-1 in the second half Friday, leading to a 13-6 victory over the fighting Knights in the Sunshine State Conference Men’s Lacrosse semifinal. With the win, the Panthers landed a spot in the SSC title game on Sunday. Carson Clough led the way for the Panthers, scoring four goals and assisting on three more . Logan Sweeney chipped in with three goals of his own. Johnny Gavin led the Fighting Knights with two goals. Lynn (6-7) scored first, off the stick of Tully Wise. He beat Florida Tech netminder Daniel Flock, with 9:07 left in the first quarter. Less than two minutes later, Clough tied things up and that started a three-goal run for the Panthers, as Logan Sweeney and Austen Zugelter , who beat Lynn goaltender Collin McClelland back-to-back and led 3-1, with 3:58 left in the first quarter. After Nick Howard made it 3-2, Sweene...

David Wilson - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography A game that started as a pitcher’s duel on Friday, turned into a lopsided 8-0 Florida Tech victory in the final game of a three-game series against visiting Rollins. The win gives Florida Tech the series win, as they took two of three games.  The Panthers sent 13 seniors off in grand style, pounding out 12 hits. Reid Neal (2-for-5), Dan Szpik (2-for-5) and Vincenzo Catanza (4-for-4), all had big days for the Panthers.  Rollins starter Brian Auerbach and Panthers hurler Tyler Deel were shutting the opposing offenses down for much of the first half of the game. Florida Tech did threaten in the bottom of the first when Neal and Szpik singled. Neal tried to score on the Szpik hit, but he was nabbed at the plate, a 9-3-2 put out. In the top of the fourth, Chris Corbett got the first hit off Deel, a one out double to left. David Wilson dropped the ball in left, allowing Corbett to go to third. Nick ...

Reid Neal went 3-for-5 in Thursday's loss - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography The Rollins College Tars found their groove in the middle innings on Thursday and went to beat Florida Tech 8-2, in game two of their Sunshine State Conference series at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field. Things got off to a good start for the Panthers as they got to Rollins starter AJ Chacon for two runs in the bottom of the second. It could have been more. David Wilson hit a long fly ball with one out in the inning, that was tracked by left fielder Mike Dolan, who leaped and made a great catch, taking a potential home run away. Chacon ran into more trouble immediately, walking Ryan Sinzenich and Vinny Catanza . Trent Masih then hit a ball to Isaiah Russell at shortstop. He was there to field it, but it went off his glove and the bases were loaded. Chacon then walked Grant McKown , scoring Sinzenich with the first run. Reid Neal grounded out, ending the inning and the Panthers left the...

Nick Capra - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography The Florida Tech Panthers (26-16, 10-6 SSC) earned an important victory over Rollins Wednesday night, in the opening game of a three-game series. Andy Marzheuser pitched eight shutout innings, leading the Panthers to a 5-1 Sunshine State Conference victory. It was quite a pitcher’s duel between Marzheuser and Brad Case for six innings, but the Panthers offense, which was held to two hits for much of the night, finally broke through in the seventh inning.  Dan Szpik got things going with a one out double off the left field wall and Nick Capra plated him with an RBI single. David Wilson flew out, but it was deep enough to move Capra to third and that would be key, because he would score on a wild pitch, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Case would leave after seven strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out 10 and walked only one.  Whit Drennan replaced him on the mound and the Panthers of...

Grant McKown - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography Florida Tech and Saint Leo both showcased their offense on Saturday, as the teams combined for 38 runs in a doubleheader. The Lions took game one 11-5 and the Panthers stormed back to take game two, 17-5. The Panthers hit six home runs in game two alone, three of those coming in the first inning. They hit two in game one, including a leadoff homer from Grant McKown . Saint Leo came back with three runs in the bottom of the second, before the Panthers got one back in the top of the third, on a Dan Szpik RBI single. Florida Tech starter Tyler Deel ran into trouble again in the bottom of the sixth, after getting the first two outs. Derek Gibree walked and went to second on a Lane Stancil single. An RBI single by Dylan Harris made it 4-1. That was the end of the day for Deel, who gave way to Justin Barney . A two-run double by Mata and an RBI single by Chase Turner, gave the home team a 7-2 lead. Rhett Willis took ove...

Makayla Palmer - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography Following their convincing win on Friday night in the series opener , the Florida Tech Panthers had the momentum going into Saturday’s season ending doubleheader. The Fighting Knights took control with four runs in the first inning of game one and they kept it, winning 9-2 and 2-0. Florida Tech was poised to jump in front in game one, when Hailey Leonard doubled to lead off the game. Katie Maiello followed with a single, but right fielder Madison White came up throwing and she cut down Leonard at the plate. Maiello went to second on the play, but she was stranded there. Florida Tech starting pitcher Amanda Kahn got through the first couple innings, but the third inning started with a fly ball off the bat of Shayle Arenson to Makayla Palmer in right field, Palmer dropped the ball and that put in motion a four-run frame, highlighted by a two-run single by Mackenzie Wyatt. The Panthers (26-25, 11-13 SSC) would...

Carson Clough - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography The Florida Tech Panthers secured the second seed in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament, with a 12-8 victory over Rollins (7-7, 2-3 SSC) on Senior Day. Florida Tech finished the regular season with a 7-6 record, including 3-2 in the SSC. Cody Martin finished with four goals to lead the Panthers scoring parade. He had a hat trick with 2:15 left to go in the second quarter. Carson Clough had a goal and two assists, while Nick Wynne and Tyler Covey had a goal and an assist each. Florida Tech goalie  Daniel Flock  made 11 saves, while his counterpart Ty Wedekind made 14 saves in the loss. The Panthers took 45 shots, with 26 on goal, while 19 of the Tars 32 shots were on net. The Panthers never trailed in this contest, but after Logan Sweeney and Ben Abell scored to start the game, Greg Taicher scored back-to-back goals for the Tars, tying the game at two. That was just the beginning of a big day...

Reid Neal - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography Reid Neal broke a 4-4 seventh inning tie with a two-run home run Friday night, sending the Florida Tech Panthers to a 7-4 win over Sunshine State Conference foe, Saint Leo. It was the seventh long ball of the season for Neal. Florida Tech (24-15, 8-5 SSC) took an early lead with three runs in the top of the second, against Lions’ starter Tyler Bauman. Dan Szpik singled and after Nick Capra walked, David Wilson singled Szpik home, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third and Bauman proceeded to walk Ryan Sinzenich and Vincenzo Catanza , giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Trent Masih hit into a double play, allowing the third run to score. The Panthers added a run in the third, when John Sternagel walked stole second and later got caught between third and home, before scoring on an errant throw. That made it 4-0. T y Cohen , who got the start for the Panthers stayed out o...

Krista Patterson - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography Krista Patterson hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning Friday and the Florida Tech Panthers never looked back, beating Lynn 8-3 in the opening game of the final series of the Panthers softball season. Florida Tech (26-23, 11-11 SSC) earned 12 hits in this one, with Hailey Leonard , Alexus Smith , Makayla Palmer , Patterson and Kaitlin Buchholz all collecting two hits each. Florida Tech pitcher Rachel Pence did give up 11 hits, but she minimized the damage, allowing just three runs. She struck out seven and did not walk a batter, in her 116 pitch, complete-game performance. The Panthers got on the board first in the top of the third inning, against Fighting Knights starter Francais Olexa. Leonard led off the inning with a grounder to third that was misplayed and turned into a two-base error. One out later, Smith singled and the Panthers were up, 1-0. Lynn (24-19, 10-9 SSC) were able to tie things ...

Sara Grenier - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography The ninth-ranked Florida Tech Panthers finished their 2017 regular season with a huge 14-10 victory over the sixth-ranked Rollins Tars on Thursday night, in Winter Haven. Sara Grenier continued her hot hand, leading the Panthers with four goals. Allie Modica , Caroline Dunleavy , and Lauren Tybor all had a hat trick for the visitors, who scored nine goals in the second half, to secure the come-from-behind victory. Rollins took control early, scoring five goals on their first six shots against Florida Tech goalie Stephanie Stuart . Maggie Dougherty scored the first two goals for Rollins and Kallie German made it 3-0, with 23:36 to go in the first half. Florida Tech got on the board with 21:53 to go, thanks to a goal from Dunleavy, as she beat Rollins goalie Malorie Olin. Goals by Hannah Ashton and Megan Cury made it a 5-1 game, before Grenier and Modica got back-to-back tallies for the Panthers to make it a 5-3 ...

The Clemente Center was the place to be Monday night; as coaches, athletes and administrators gathered to celebrate another great season of Florida Tech sports in 2016-2017. A highlight video started things off, showing highlight-reel moments from each of Florida Tech’s 22 sports programs. The Panthers also took time to recognize an exceptional group of kids involved with their Team Impact program, with those kids in attendance. Athletes who were on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll were recognized, along with seniors from each team. Women’s Soccer took home the Panther Cup, with softball finishing second. There were two Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award winners this year, with Manny Abad from the football team and Daniel Schultz of men's cross country sharing the honor. The Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year was Jenna Schaffer of the volleyball team. Men’s Cross Country earned the team GPA Award, for the fifth year in a row, posting a 3.576 cumulati...

Carson Clough - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography The Tampa Spartans took down Florida Tech 15-10 Saturday, in a Sunshine State Conference game. Tampa used a seven-goal first quarter to put the Panthers behind the eight ball early and the visitors never recovered. With the victory, the Spartans secured their fourth straight SSC title. Logan Sweeney and Reid Chaconas were the only multi-goal scorers for Florida Tech in this one, each finishing with two goals. Carson Clough  led the Panthers with four points (1 G, 3 A). Jake Mosher McGraw and Conor Whipple each had a hat trick in front of the home crowd. Florida Tech starting goalie Daniel Flock gave up 14 goals and Matt Young, who played only 10 seconds, gave up one goal. Statistically, the game was close in a lot of categories, but Tampa held a 28-19 advantage in ground balls and that meant more possession time. They made it count.   Cody Martin scored the only goal for the Panthers in that ...

Mary Gormley - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography The Florida Tech Women’s lacrosse team celebrated Senior Night in grand fashion Saturday, with a 19-3 victory over Tampa in a Sunshine State Conference contest. The Panthers were able to get everybody in the game, clearing the bench in the second half. “This was obviously a conference game we wanted to win,” said Florida Tech coach Corinne Desrosiers. Point differential doesn’t really matter, we wanted to win and we wanted to make sure everyone got looks.” It was the final home game for Allie Modica , who finished with a hat trick. She was joined by fellow seniors Arielle Gunderson and Jesse DePaolo , who were honored prior to the game. Coach Desrosiers said that Modica would probably end up being a Hall of Famer for the program. “She’s done great thing for us,” she said. “We’re really fortunate that she transferred from UConn and came down and played.” “Arielle came in at the right time too,” Desrosiers con...