Late Comeback Fuels Spartan Comeback Win Over Mocs
TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 23 University of Tampa Spartans men's soccer team overcame a late deficit with a pair of goals inside the final 20 minutes of play on Wednesday night against Florida Southern College.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final Score: No. 23 Tampa 2, Florida Southern 1
Records: Tampa 7-2 (4-1 SSC), Florida Southern 1-6-3 (0-4-1 SSC)
Location: Pepin Stadium || Tampa, Fla.
All-time series: The Spartans now hold a commanding 35-10-6 lead in the all-time series. UT has won two straight over the Mocs.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
FIRST HALF: Florida Southern drew an early penalty kick when the Spartans were whistled for a handball in the box. James Meehan converted on the score, coming in the 22nd minute. Tampa went to the break facing a deficit, despite holding a 12-3 advantage in shots and controlling possession throughout the opening 45 minutes. Score: 1-0 FSC
SECOND HALF: The match remained in a standstill until the 71st minute, when Florida Southern's Julia Jordan-Canosa was issued a red card, forcing the Mocs to play a man down for the remainder of the contest. It took just over three minutes for Tampa's Travis Foster to beat the Moccasin keeper on a shot from the top left side of the box, coming from teammate Ornaldo Zeqiri. The Spartans would continue to pressure the Mocs, netting the game-winning goal at 81:41 when leading-scorer Omar Thali scored his seventh goal of the year, with Juancho Fernandez earning the assist. Final: 2-1 UT
INSIDE THE STATS:
- The Spartans outshot the Mocs 10-0 in the second half, and 22-3 on the game.
- UT's defense would hold Florida Southern to just one shot on goal in 90 minutes, with Tampa being credited with seven.
- A total of eight cards were issued, with each team receiving four.
- Adam Forster earned the win in goal for the Spartans, improving to 7-2 on the season.
- Foster's game-tying goal was his third of the season, as the junior from Tampa had a pair of shots on the game.
- Thali finished with a team-high five shots, including two on target.
- A total of 10 Spartans were credited with a shot.
- The Spartans remain second in the SSC standings, one game behind 5-0 Lynn. Palm Beach Atlantic is a game behind the Spartans in the win column, at 3-1 in league play.
UP NEXT: Another stiff test looms for the Spartans, who travel to Fort Lauderdale to square off against No. 13 Nova Southeastern University at 6 p.m., on Saturday. The Sharks stand at 2-2 in SSC play, facing a critical matchup after falling to Palm Beach Atlantic by a 4-0 score on Wednesday.
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