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Hard Work Carries Spartans To Final Four

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By NICK WILLIAMS

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

Published: December 4, 2008

TAMPA - Earlier in the season, University of Tampa men's soccer coach Adrian Bush brought a small box into his team's locker room. On the outside, it read "In this box is the key to life's success."

He asked senior midfielder Ryan Maxwell to open it so all could see. On the inside of the box were two words: Hard Work.

"It was something I got many years ago as a gift," Bush said. "That was motivating for them to see that."

Hard work has carried the No. 11 Spartans (18-3-1) into this weekend's NCAA Division II Final Four, hosted by the University of Tampa. The Spartans will face No. 9 Cal State-Dominguez Hills (19-2-4) in the semifinals Friday at 7 p.m. at UT's Pepin Stadium. The winner will face either Dowling or Northern Kentucky in the national championship, Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

"Working hard is the only way you can get better, it's the only way to can make it to the Final Four," said junior forward Pascal Milien, who leads UT with 11 goals and 16 assists and on Wednesday was named a first-team All-American.

"The Barry University away win 3-2 in double overtime and the south region final 3-2 win against Lynn, those are the two moments that brought us here," said sophomore defender Dan Ingvarsson, who was named a second-team All-American. "We showed strong character."

Maxwell (nine goals, five assists) joined Ingvarsson on the second-team while junior goal keeper Ryan Thompson was named a third-team All-American.

UT defeated No.1 ranked Lynn University in the south region final and No. 5 Tusculum College, 3-2, in double overtime in the national quarterfinal to advance.

"It's a credit to the players," said Bush, now in his fourth season. "We brought in 16 new guys, we only have two seniors and we lost eight of 11 starters, so for these guys to come together as quickly as they have, I think the maturity of the young players has been huge."

The Spartans have won three national titles, in 1981, 1994 and 2001, the last year the program reached the Final Four. In 1994, Bush was named the National Player of the Year after guiding UT to the national championship.

"I know in 1994, it was big for me," said Bush, who was named the South Region Coach of the Year Tuesday. "We had 5,000 people at both games. In 2001, I was a fan watching from the stands. The support from the community was definitely a boost."

When the program won championships in 1994 and 2001, UT hosted the Final Four. The Spartans haven't lost a home game in over a year.

"When we leave here, we want to be remembered," said Thompson, who has led the Spartans with eight shutouts while recording a UT single-season record of 114 saves. "A national championship, that's what every school wants and what every athlete wants. That's what we play the sport for."

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851.

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