UT Tops USF To Start Season 5-0

The University of Tampa Spartans men's ice hockey team took on the University of South Florida Bulls on Friday in Wesley Chapel. The Spartans were going into a rivalry weekend after a 4-0 start to the season. Confident leading into this "Battle of the Bay" the Spartans fell to a 2-1 lead after the first, UT took control of the game by making it a 4-1 game early in the third. The Bulls scored two goals late to make it a 4-3 final, making the Spartans 5-0 for the first time in team history. The Spartans will play the second game of the series against the Bulls Saturday at 2:30 in Wesley Chapel.

COACH'S ORDERS - Head Coach Dr. Steve Kucera addresses the team before warmups. The game took place Friday September 29th in Wesley Chapel, FL.

CAPTAIN SERIOUS - Senior captain, Kyler Wujciga, stares intently to coaches before taking the ice Friday. Wujciga headed into the weekend with 5 points in his previous 4 games.

WARMING UP - Freshman forward Evan Hoffberg taking a shot during warmups prior to the game against USF. Hoffberg is one of three freshman on the team from the Tampa area.

HUDDLE - The Spartans gather around goaltender Sal Corallo before puck drop Friday night. Corallo went on to make 28 saves on 31 shots faced.

STARS AND STRIPES - The Spartans and Bulls' starters line up for the playing of the National Anthem. The Spartans starters consisted of all freshman for Friday's game.

GAMETIME - Freshman Ryan Murray looks eagerly to the ice just before the opening face-off. The Bulls were first to strike, taking a 2-1 lead by the end of the first period.

SURROUNDED BY THE ENEMY - Junior goaltender Sal Corallo stands ready for the second period surrounded by USF fans.  Corallo has started three of UT's first five games.

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES - The Spartans celebrate a late second period goal scored by Phil Marcianti (#26) to take the lead 3-2. The goal was Marcianti's first in a Spartan uniform.

BETWEEN THE PIPES - Corallo looks on as the Spartans break the puck out during the third period. The win would mark the goaltender's third straight win this season.

A SCRAPPY WIN - Following the final buzzer, Bulls and Spartans players join in a scrap in front of the Spartans net. The Spartans went on to win 4-3.