#17 Tampa Prevails In Shootout To Advance In NCAA Tournament

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The No. 17 University of Tampa (16-5-1) women's soccer team was tested late, but came through with a 5-4 decision in penalty kicks versus the University of West Florida (17-2-2) in the NCAA South Regional semifinals. The Spartans advance on PKs after the score remained 2-2 following a pair of overtimes.

"This was a great game against a top quality team," says head coach Gerry Lucey. "UWF has represented our region in the Final Four two years running and made it to the championship game in 2008. They have the current national player of the year and she is an incredible talent. We did our best defensively to hold off their attack. The players worked their socks off today and found the reserves to pull out another incredible feat."

Marta Bertsos played a role in the first two goals of the game, giving the Spartans a 2-0 lead. Bertsos scored her first goal of the season in the 12th minute on a header to give UT an advantage that it would eventually carry to the half. Dana Palmiotto and Gabby Jolin assisted on the game's first goal.

For the third game in a row, UT's Brittan Spence scored a goal, this time at the 50:57 mark. The goal came off a rebound on a diving save by UWF goalkeeper Ali Ryan, with Spence burying the shot in the empty net. Bertsos was credited with the assist.

West Florida, who averages over four goals per game, came back with a fury as it cut the score in half in the 71st minute and netted the equalizer just under six minutes later. Jodi-Ann Robinson scored the Argonauts first goal, followed by Shakira Duncan on the second UWF goal. Both players also assisted on each others goals.

Following a pair of scoreless overtime periods, the game entered the shootout. UWF began the period with a make, followed by a successful Luana Miessa conversion. UT goalkeeper Leah Cesanek put the Spartans in great shape with a save on West Florida's second PK, stopping Ann Ilin Osland.

Tampa then grabbed the 2-1 lead in the shootout with a goal by Gabby Jolin. West Florida would convert its final three kicks, but so would Tampa as Courtney Peffley, Cina Salemi and Brittan Spence were all successful in PK attempts. Fittingly, Spence scored the deciding penalty kick after netting a game-winning goal in UT's previous two games.

"Our penalties were top notch today," states Lucey. "All five takers buried their shots and gave their keeper no chance. A special mention must go to Cina Salemi, who didn't play in the game but stepped up when called upon and hit an excellent PK."

Cesanek again played beyond her freshman years while finishing with six saves. UWF edged the Spartans in shots by an 18-15 mark, and shots on goal 8-6.

"The way we went about our task and took the lead was precisely the injection we needed to focus for 90," says Lucey. "It feels great to be back in the Sweet 16 again and of course our goal is to win our next game against FIT."

Tampa advances to the NCAA South Region final on Friday, where it will face Sunshine State Conference opponent Florida Tech. The location of the game is yet to be announced as the winner will face the winner of the Southeast championship between Armstrong Atlantic State University and Lenoir-Rhyne College in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Sunday.

"Our focus and determination is exactly where it needs to be and we look forward to another weekend of quality soccer," says Lucey."

Fans may also follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans). UT also offers blAst, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.