Tropics still aiming for second in East as Ambush visit for two to end regular season

LAKELAND, Florida -- The Florida Tropics secured a third-place finish in the East Division of the Major Arena Soccer League defeating the St. Louis Ambush 6-5 Friday night at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. 

The Tropics will play either the Baltimore Blast or Milwaukee Wave in the divisional semi-finals, with the first game of the home-and-home series set for next Friday in Lakeland. The final playoff seedings won't be determined until the league completes is regular season this weekend, including the Tropics hosting St. Louis again Sunday afternoon. 

If the teams split their home-and-home playoff series, a 15-minute knockout game would decide the winner, played immediately at the conclusion of the second game. 

Drew Ruggles and Breno Olivera each scored twice, and Vini Dantas had a goal and two assists to lead the offense. Victor Parreiras got the other Florida goal, while St. Louis got a pair from Lucas Almeida, who staked the Ambush to an early 2-0 lead. 

Florida then scored four unanswered before St. Louis tied it up early in the fourth, with Olivera getting the game winner with 11:27 to go in the final frame. 

Tickets for next Friday's home playoff game are available starting at just $7 per game, which includes fees, 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. 

Home game tickets 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