TAMPA, Fla. — The Harding men's soccer team opened a four-game road swing Monday morning with a 5-0 setback against Tampa at Pepin Stadium.
The Spartans (1-1-2) took early control, breaking through in the second minute when Tommaso Polidori scored off a pass from Felix Poschmann. Tampa extended its advantage in the 16th minute on a goal by Mason Clark before Alex Dollard struck unassisted in the 41st minute to give the host Spartans a 3-0 halftime lead.
Poschmann expanded the margin to 4-0 just 10 seconds into the second period off an assist from Manuel Carmona, and Dollard netted his second goal of the morning in the 72nd minute to round out the scoring.
2nd-year defender Noah Legge registered Harding's lone shot on target in the 18th minute, forcing a save from Tampa starting keeper Alex Hare. 4th-year forward Reik Barrack, 3rd-year defender Brody Cooper, and 4th-year midfielder Jimmy Tuyishime each added shot attempts for the Bisons (0-4-0).
5th-year goalkeeper Andrew Wagenblatt stopped seven shots while playing all 90 minutes in net.
Tampa held a 23-4 edge in total shots, a 12-1 advantage in shots on target, and earned six corner kicks to Harding's one.
Harding continues its non-conference road trip on Tuesday, Sept. 15, traveling to Liberty, Mo., to take on William Jewell at 5 p.m.
