WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic men's soccer team concluded its regular season on Thursday against Tampa.

Tonight's game significantly impacted the Sunshine State Conference standings and seeding for the SSC tournament. With a win, the Sailfish clinch the opportunity to host a first-round game. PBA entered the match undefeated at home so far this year. The Sailfish fell behind early in the match, but Tin Vastic got the 'Fish on the board in the second half. Unfortunately for the Sailfish, it was not enough to overcome the Spartans. UTampa fended off the Sailfish with a 4-2 win.

The visitors struck first early in the match. Just under 10 minutes into the game, UTampa earned a corner kick. The corner was played short, setting up a cross into the box. The ball found a wide-open Spartan whose volleyball found the back of the net to make it 1-0. The Spartans scored again less than five minutes later. A through ball put UTampa in a dangerous position. PBA's defender attempted to make a tackle, but the Spartans defender slid the ball by him to create space. The striker buried the ball into the top left corner to make it 2-0.

The Sailfish almost snatched some momentum back before the end of the half. Harry Gardner sent a lob into the box that found the head of Federico Serra. Serra's attempt was on target but the UTampa goalie showed quick reaction time, making the save to preserve the 2-0 lead before halftime.

The match got out of hand 10 minutes into the second half. A long cross sent in the box by Tampa found a wide-open Spartan for an easy header that made it 3-0. PBA got one goal back as Naricus Bou Dalmou sent Vastic forward. Vastic snuck behind the UTampa back line for an easy goal-scoring opportunity to make it 3-1. The Spartans scored a fourth goal with 17 minutes to play, ending the thought of a Sailfish comeback. An own goal gave PBA its second goal of the game with seven minutes left, but it was too little too late as the Spartans won 4-2.

UTampa outshot the Sailfish 12-7, including 6-4 in shots on goal. Vastic led PBA with three shots, and Serra finished the match with two shots.

The loss means PBA is locked into the sixth seed in the SSC tournament. The Sailfish await their fate to see where they will travel for round one on Monday.