Thali's Second Half Strike Sends No. 16 Spartans Past No. 3 Lynn

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 16 ranked University of Tampa men's soccer team edged No. 3 Lynn in a showdown of the Sunshine State Conference's two best teams. Tampa moves to 9-2 on the season, including 6-1 in conference play, and now sits atop the standings in the SSC.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #16 Tampa 1, #3 Lynn 0

Location: Pepin Stadium || Tampa, Fla.

All-time series: Lynn leads the all-time series 15-25-4.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF: The first half played to a defensive slugfest, as the only shots on the goal in the opening frame came from Lynn in the 29th and 43rd minutes. Travis Foster and Omar Thali registered a shot apiece in the period for the Spartans but could not capitalize. The Fighting Knights fired four shots in the opening half with two landing on goal. Despite landing the only two shots on goal in the half, Lynn was unable to solve keeper Adam Forster in the first 45 minutes. Score: 0-0

SECOND HALF:  Lynn began the second half with a shot on goal in the 54th minute, only to be met by Forster once again. The Spartans had three consecutive shots in a four-minute span (57' – 61') and finally capitalized with what turned out to be the game-winning goal by Omar Thali, assisted by Juancho Fernandez and Sean Quinn, in the 61st minute. Final: 1-0 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Keeper Adam Forster earned his ninth win and seventh shut out of the season, tallying three saves.
• UT was outshot in both periods a combined 12-7, but trailed by just one in the shots on goal margin, 3-2. 

UP NEXT: The Spartans host Saint Leo on Senior Night next Wednesday, September 20, at 7:00 PM.

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