Florida Tech Men’s Lacrosse Team Falls in Regular Season Finale, Now Sets Sights on SSC Tournament
By Space Coast Daily // April 18, 2025
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BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA– The Florida Tech men’s lacrosse team wrapped up regular season play on the road Wednesday night, falling 17-7 to RV Saint Leo. Despite the early momentum, the Panthers couldn’t keep pace with the Lions’ offensive surge, closing out the season with a 6-9 overall record and earning the No. 6 seed in the upcoming SSC Tournament.
FIRST QUARTER
Under the fading Florida sun at University Turf Stadium, the Florida Tech Panthers came in looking to end their regular season on a high note. And for a brief moment, it looked like they might. Just 30 seconds in, Jack Cornwell scored a lightning fast goal to give the Panthers an immediate lead. However that lead would be short lived.
Saint Leo responded with precision. Tristan Leblanc’s equalizer set the tone, and within minutes, the Lions were off and running. Aidan Knoetgen and Ben Baker each found the net, and though Gavin Wessel tried to keep Tech within striking distance, the first quarter belonged to the home team. Maverick Chernoff’s two goals and a second from Knoetgen capped off a blistering 6-2 first frame.
SECOND QUARTER
The second period saw a glimmer of hope. Carson Mann’s goal, set up beautifully by Brett Nastos, hinted at a comeback. But the Lions had other plans. Five unanswered goals turned a manageable deficit into a lopsided one. Michael Guenther, Zach Kroog (twice), Thomas Nelan, and JD Henninger made it 11-3 before Joe Coveleski’s late goal offered a modest halftime consolation at 11-4.
THIRD QUARTER
Refusing to roll over, Florida Tech showed fight to open the third. Rob Gadomski and Brooks Van Esselstyn brought the Panthers back to within five. But just as quickly, Brayden Stellwagen and Shane Jones crushed that momentum, pushing the lead to 13-6 as the teams turned toward the final 15 minutes.
FOURTH QUARTER
In the fourth, defense initially ruled — until Saint Leo turned on the jets once more. Knoetgen added two more to his total, finishing the night with four goals. The Lions added one more late to seal the deal, even after Gary Lozito’s gritty goal gave the Panthers a brief spark. The final whistle sounded on a 17-7 loss for Florida Tech.
Despite the result, the Panthers showed heart. Seven different players scored, a testament to the team’s shared effort. Goalkeeper Jax Francisco stood tall with 10 saves in 43 minutes, while Shale Saeger hustled his way to a team-high five groundballs.
Jakob Terpak’s assist tonight places him fifth in the program’s all-time assists list (43), just one shy of moving into fourth.
Florida Tech ends the regular season at 6-9 (2-5 SSC) and now 2-5 all-time at Saint Leo.
UP NEXT
The regular season has now concluded, and the now No. 6 seeded Tech will travel to No. 3 Rollins this coming Saturday, April 19 at 1 PM to take on the Tars in the first round of the SSC tournament with the winner set to play the awaiting No. 2 Lynn Fighting Knights on Wednesday, April 23.
