Spartans Suffer Overtime Loss in SSC Championship
November 8, 2015

Spartans Suffer Overtime Loss in SSC Championship

MIAMI SHORES, Fla – Behind an overtime breakaway goal, the University of Tampa women's soccer team fell 2-1 to the top-seeded Barry University on Sunday in the Sunshine State Conference tournament final. The regular-season champions netted the game-winner with mere minutes remaining in the first overtime period to earn the tournament championship title.

The first half started out with both teams getting their legs under them and checking how their opponent was going to face the game. At about 10 minutes in, Tampa had a great chance to go up 1-0 as Gabby Scirica played a ball to an open Cici Gonzalez but her strong shot went clear over the bar. Less than five minutes later, Scirica had another chance as she cut into the box but her shot went wide of the goal.

A strong start to the game by the Spartans who showed no effects from having played an extra game than the buccaneers and going against their norm of slow starts to the games this season. At the 15 min mark of the first half, the Spartans defense was called into action, as they had to stand up strong against the first real attack by Barry.

Completely against the run of play, the Spartans defense was surprised by a long range shot to the top right corner in the 20th min that keeper Caroline Frykgard could not get to and they went down 1-0.

UT tried to answer shortly after with Nastasia Asgedom leading the attack but her pass to Scirica led to a weak shot that the keeper easily stopped. The Spartans had a couple of solid chances to tie the game but the Barry keeper kept them off the board. At the 30th minute, the Spartans had a free kick just outside the box on the right side.

The second half began where the first period left off with both teams going back and forth to start the game. Midfielder Gonzalez netted the equalizer with fifteen minutes remaining, a quick goal off a corner kick taken by defender Miranda Gonzalez. Not even five mins later, the Spartans had to call on the cross bar to save them as a shot by Barry attacker Rayah Seckler bounced off.

The final 10 mins of regulation were the most intense of the game. With both sides chasing a potential game winner, it was a battle for possession in the midfield. In what has become the story of the tournament for UT, the game ended 1-1 at the final whistle.

Extra time for the third game in a row for the Spartans brought heartbreak. With five mins left in the first period of overtime, the Buccaneers managed to score the decisive goal. The Spartans will now await to see where they will be seeded by the NCAA selection committee for the national tournament.

Four Spartans earned All-Tournament honors as Cici Gonzalez, Miranda Gonzalez, Caroline Frykgardand Ali Robinson were selected.

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