Hickory, N.C. – The Tampa Men's Lacrosse Team (15-4), ranked No. 8 in NCAA Division II, advanced to the round of four after holding off seventh-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne (12-3), 11-8, Saturday afternoon in an NCAA Division II National Quarterfinal game at Moretz Stadium.

The Spartans' Andrew Kew (Oakville, Ontario, CANADA) led all scorers with four goals to add to his national-leading and record-breaking 85 scores on the season as Tampa advanced to the national semifinals for the second straight year to play top-ranked Limestone (19-1) next Sunday, May 21, in Gaffney, S.C.

The Saints defeated Wingate in their opening round playoff game today by a 14-5 score at home.

Lenoir-Rhyne, the second-seeded team in the South Region, received two goals each from junior midfielder Ben Corrigan (Alpharetta, Ga.) and junior long stick middle Collin Lett (Greensboro, N.C.) despite the loss.  The Bears were making their first-ever trip to the playoffs in school history.

Tampa, winners of five straight games, ran off five straight goals to take a 7-3 lead just under two minutes into the second period and kept the advantage the rest of the way.

Lenoir-Rhyne got to within one goal on two occasions – 8-7 and 9-8 – in the fourth period but the Spartans scored twice to finish off the victory.  Jake Mosher McGraw (Saint John, New Brunswick, CANADA) added two goals and two assists in the win for Tampa.

Lenoir-Rhyne lost despite holding a 39-30 edge in shots taken while junior Ryan Crompton (Frederick, Md.) took the loss in goal despite making 11 saves.  For Tampa, goalkeeper A.J. Arnold (Southborough, Mass.) made seven saves to earn the win.