SSC Champs Represented in National Top-25 Heading to NCAA Tourney
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The University of Tampa women's soccer team is ranked No. 21 in the current National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) top-25 poll.
Tampa is one of two Sunshine State Conference schools represented in the poll as conference co-leader Rollins is No. 11. Fellow NCAA South Region foes West Florida (2) is also ranked.
The Spartans are coming off a Sunshine State Conference Tournament where they captured the program's third straight title, and sixth overall. The road to the crown included a 3-0 semifinal win over Florida Southern and a 4-2 shootout triumph against host Rollins.
As a team, the Spartans rank 6th in the nation in scoring offense (2.9) and 10th in GAA (0.532).
Lauren Moore is 14th in points per game (1.95), 12th in goals per game (0.850), 6th in goals (17) and 10th in points (39). Cici Gonzalez is 26th in points (32) and 15th in game-winning goals (5). Courtney Peffley is 13th in assists per game (0.55) and 8th in assists (11).
Goalkeeper Kori Butterfield is also among the national leaders, coming in at 10th in GAA (0.513).
After opening the season at No. 8, UT has now been ranked in the top-25 for 10 consecutive years, including a top-10 billing in the previous two. The Spartans have spent nine weeks in 2012 in the national top-25, including the past seven.
The Spartans will travel to Winter Park, Fla., for the 2012 NCAA South regional, as they will meet Barry on Friday at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the regional semifinals to face host Rollins on Sunday at 3 p.m.