Eastern Division leading Tropics head to Utica Wednesday

LAKELAND, FL. -- The Eastern Division leading Florida Tropics will be on the road Wednesday night when they meet Utica City FC at the Adirondack Bank Center.

Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on the MASL TV on Twitch.

The two teams played Dec. 17 in Lakeland, with the Tropics taking a 9-3 win in their home opener. Drew Ruggles, Victor Parreiras, and Zach Reget all scored two goals each.

Florida is 3-0-1, atop the Eastern Division with 10 points. Kansas City is second in the division with nine points, but they have played two more games than the Tropics. Utica comes in 2-2 with six points, tied for fourth place in the east with the Baltimore Blast.

Despite playing as a defender, Florida’s Drew Ruggles is second in the MASL in goals scored this season with eight. He leads the Tropics in points with 11. Victor Parreiras is second on the team in scoring with 10 points on four goals and six assists. Gordy Gurson is Utica’s leading goal scorer with four and Nate Bourdeau leads the team in points with seven (two goals, five assists).

Jorge Navarrete, the Tropics goaltender, is off to a good start. Navarrete is currently third in the league in goals against (3.84), fourth in saves percentage (.787), and tied for first in wins (3).

After Wednesday, Florida will be home Dec. 30 against the Chihuahua Savage, on the road Tuesday, Jan. 3 in Ontario, California against the Empire Strykers, and back home for a weekend doubleheader Jan. 6 and 8 against the Harrisburg Heat.

Tickets for all home games are available starting at just $7 per game by calling the arena box office at 863-834-8111. Although tickets are also available online at www.rpfundingcenter.com, service fees are significantly higher through Ticketmaster as opposed to calling the box office directly. Tickets are also available on game day at the box office.