Spartans Comeback Attempt Falls Short Against NSU
September 17, 2016

Spartans Comeback Attempt Falls Short Against NSU

Tampa fought back in the second half but fell 3-2 to Nova Southeastern

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa Women's soccer team hosted the Nova Southeastern University Sharks on Saturday night to open SSC play. Despite being down 2-0 at the break, the team fought back to make it interesting in the second half but was unable to complete the comeback as the Sharks took the victory 3-2.

In the first half, it was Nova that started out strong as play took place mostly in the Tampa half of the field. The Sharks would take advantage of the early chances as they took the 1-0 lead in the 10th minute of play via a goal from Hannah Christophe. After conceding the goal, UT and NSU would go back and forth with neither side being able to do much to get to the final third until the Sharks scored in the 30th minutes as Emma Helkilla got one into the back of the net. The home side would react after that and was able to get a pair of shots on goal as they fought to get back in the game.

After the break, the Spartans came out looking like a very different team. The offense was able to get into a much better rhythm and it would not be long before the results would show the work being put in. In the 52nd minute, senior Lauren Cicero sent in a corner kick that found Ali Robinson at the back post and the defender was able to get the ball past a scrambling defense and goalkeeper for her first goal of the season. UT kept up the pressure, keeping NSU keeper Ida Norstrom on alert as she made three saves to hold the lead for her team. The Sharks would reclaim their two-goal advantage with just over 15 minutes left in the game as Christophe was able to get to a cross that landed between her and Tampa keeper Sydney Ross. The home side again responded to the deficit and kept up their attack and found their second goal of the game four minutes later as Gracie Zas crossed a ball in from the left side and Gabby Scirica beat her defender to the ball and past the NSU keeper for her first goal of the season. 

Unfortunately, the team would run out of time as Nova held on for the last ten minutes of the game and closed out the match for the victory. 

With this game in the books, UT will now turn their attention to No. 8 Rollins, who is coming off a 1-0 2OT loss to No. 20 Embry-Riddle on Wednesday night on the road. Tampa and Rollins are set to kickoff on Wednesday, September 21 at 7 p.m. at Pepin Field. Live stats and video will be available on tampaspartans.com

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