No. 4 Tampa Stays Perfect in Road Victory at Florida Southern
LAKELAND, Fla.-The No. 4 University of Tampa women's soccer team (9-0) defeated Florida Southern University (1-4-3) by a score of 1-0 on Saturday night at Barnett Field.
The 2013 squad extends the school record for most consecutive wins to begin the season and is one victory away from the record for consecutive wins overall at 10.
It was a hard fought defensive battle throughout the first half. Tampa outshot Florida Southern with six shots to zero. Keeper Alyson Gregorowicz did not see any action in the goal. UT registered three shots on goal and five corner kicks in the period.
The Spartans struck first, scoring three minutes into the second half. Gabby Russo sent a cross into the box that was headed into the air by Emily Jones. Cici Gonzalez played the ball into the back of the net and scored on a header that got past a diving Erin Moseley for the Mocs.
Tampa would hold the lead for the remainder of the half and held on for the 1-0 victory. The Spartans outshot the Mocs six to three in the period, with three on goal. Gregorowicz saved the only shot on goal and earned her third consecutive shutout of the season. She is now 4-0 since taking over goalkeeping duties.
Gonzalez lead all Spartans with five shots and three on goal. Russo, Jenny Karl, and Audrey Hayward each registered two shots in the game for Tampa.
UT concluded the match with eight corner kicks to FSC's one. Both teams played tough defensively with the Mocs registering 13 fouls compared to 12 for the Spartans.
Tampa returns to action Wednesday at Pepin Stadium to host Eckerd College at 7 p.m. Live stats and a webcast will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.
Fans may 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.