Roller Hockey Sits on Top of Division
Freshman trio combines for 33 points in 3-win weekend
SECRHL June 18th, 2008 at 10:09PM June 18th, 2008 10:11PMLast weekend, the University of Tampa roller hockey team pulled into first place in the Southern Conference of the Southeast Division in the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Associate after a four game tournament in Ft. Myers.
The Spartans started the weekend against the Florida Gators. The Gators scored 19 seconds into the game, but the Spartans fought back to tie the game 23 seconds later with a goal from team captain Brett Kotcher.
After the tying goal was scored, the Spartans controlled the rest of the game lead by their new freshman trio of Rob Harrison, Paul Hinrichsen and Jeff Kotcher.
The Spartans won the game 4-2, lead by Jeff Kotcher with two goals and Rob Harrison with a goal and an assist.
After a four hour break, the Spartans went back on the rink to play the University of Miami
Hurricanes, a divisional opponent. The first period ended tied 1-1, but the Spartans dominated the rest of the game, scoring six unanswered goals, once again led by the freshman trio.
Jeff Kotcher was the game's first star tallying six assists followed by birthday boy Paul Hinrichsen, who received the games second star recording a hat-trick and Rob Harrison, who received the games third star adding two goals and an assist.
Tampa's goaltender, Guy Antonacci, turned aside 23-of-25 Hurricane shots to earn the victory.
Tampa went back to the rink on Sunday to play Florida International University.
The Spartans trailed the Golden Panthers 5-4 going into the third period, but assistant captain Alex Schawiak and linemate Patrick Sheehan, combined for the game-tying goal.
After a great defensive shift by the defense pairing of Jon Halpern and Matt McCarthy, and big saves by goaltender Rob Zagaria, forward Rob Harrison notched the game-winning goal to give the Spartans a 6-5 victory.
In the last game of the tournament, the Spartans geared up to play a David vs. Goliath game against the Seahawks of Broward Community College. BCC came into the game with 82 goals scored in 10 games and a 7-1-2 record. The Seahawks scored two quick goals to start the game, but the Spartans fought back to tie it at two. Broward then pulled away to make the score 6-2, but the Spartans would not give up as they brought the score to 7-5 with under six minutes left. Broward had a little too much offensive firepower for Tampa as they lost 9-7.
The Spartans were led in points by Jeff Kotcher with 15 followed by Paul Hinrichsen and Rob Harrison with nine points each. Tampa's next tournament is February 16 in Beachton, GA.
For more information about the UT Roller Hockey team, you can log on to www.SECRHL.org or contact team captain, Brett Kotcher, at [email protected] for more information.
Editor's note: The author of this article, Brett Kotcher, is a member and team captain of the roller hockey club.
The Spartans started the weekend against the Florida Gators. The Gators scored 19 seconds into the game, but the Spartans fought back to tie the game 23 seconds later with a goal from team captain Brett Kotcher.
After the tying goal was scored, the Spartans controlled the rest of the game lead by their new freshman trio of Rob Harrison, Paul Hinrichsen and Jeff Kotcher.
The Spartans won the game 4-2, lead by Jeff Kotcher with two goals and Rob Harrison with a goal and an assist.
After a four hour break, the Spartans went back on the rink to play the University of Miami
Hurricanes, a divisional opponent. The first period ended tied 1-1, but the Spartans dominated the rest of the game, scoring six unanswered goals, once again led by the freshman trio.
Jeff Kotcher was the game's first star tallying six assists followed by birthday boy Paul Hinrichsen, who received the games second star recording a hat-trick and Rob Harrison, who received the games third star adding two goals and an assist.
Tampa's goaltender, Guy Antonacci, turned aside 23-of-25 Hurricane shots to earn the victory.
Tampa went back to the rink on Sunday to play Florida International University.
The Spartans trailed the Golden Panthers 5-4 going into the third period, but assistant captain Alex Schawiak and linemate Patrick Sheehan, combined for the game-tying goal.
After a great defensive shift by the defense pairing of Jon Halpern and Matt McCarthy, and big saves by goaltender Rob Zagaria, forward Rob Harrison notched the game-winning goal to give the Spartans a 6-5 victory.
In the last game of the tournament, the Spartans geared up to play a David vs. Goliath game against the Seahawks of Broward Community College. BCC came into the game with 82 goals scored in 10 games and a 7-1-2 record. The Seahawks scored two quick goals to start the game, but the Spartans fought back to tie it at two. Broward then pulled away to make the score 6-2, but the Spartans would not give up as they brought the score to 7-5 with under six minutes left. Broward had a little too much offensive firepower for Tampa as they lost 9-7.
The Spartans were led in points by Jeff Kotcher with 15 followed by Paul Hinrichsen and Rob Harrison with nine points each. Tampa's next tournament is February 16 in Beachton, GA.
For more information about the UT Roller Hockey team, you can log on to www.SECRHL.org or contact team captain, Brett Kotcher, at [email protected] for more information.
Editor's note: The author of this article, Brett Kotcher, is a member and team captain of the roller hockey club.