Tampa Wins 2-1 in 2OT over Embry-Riddle for Third Straight Win

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's soccer team notched their second come from behind victory this week as they defeated Embry-Riddle 2-1 in 2OT at home to extend their win streak to three games. The Eagles took the lead early in the second half but the Spartans scored shortly after and won it late in overtime to take home the regional match.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final (2OT): Tampa 2, Embry-Riddle 1

Records: Tampa (4-6-0), Embry-Riddle (5-2-1)

Location: Pepin Stadium | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: Tampa now holds a record of 3-1-0 against ERAU

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half | In the first 15 minutes of play, neither side was able to do much offensively as they traded possession in the midfield, with both sides trying to see how the opponent was going to play out the game. The Spartans had the first real chances of the game as they had three shots and two corner kicks in the span of two minutes but did not threaten the goalkeeper as the attempts were either blocked or off target. The later stages of the opening period belonged to the Eagles who were able to dictate the game as they held on to the ball and had four chances of their own but three of them were off target and the other one was saved by UT keeper Caroline Frykgard. 

2nd Half | The second half was very different from the first half as both sides were much more active as they looked for the opening goal. Again, both teams went back and forth in the midfield and despite Embry-Riddle trying to break open the scoring, the Tampa defense was active and made key interceptions preventing the ball getting into the final third of the pitch. However, there was only so much the defense could do to hold off the Eagles as Isabelle Haaranen scored to give the away side the lead in the 56th minute of play. As has been the story during this three-game win streak, the Spartans fought back after going down 1-0 and the hard work paid off in the 64th minute. Nastasia Asgedom lofted a ball into the box from a free-kick and Haley Pigott beat her defender to the ball right at the top of the six-yard box and sent the ball into the back of the net with a header that the keeper was beaten on. After that, Frykgard and her back line of Sarah Raymond, Lauren Cicero, Lacy Nasello, and Ali Robinson worked hard to keep the score level at one goal apiece and sent the game to extra time.

1OT | The first overtime belonged to the Eagles as they fought with everything to score the game winner, outshooting the Spartans 8-1 including a shot that rattled the crossbar and the follow up hitting the post after Frykgard had done a tremendous job to save a shot from distance.

2OT | The effects of having played 100 minutes were evident in the final period of the game as neither side was able to threaten the goalkeepers with each side having one shot before the final play of the game. Robyn-Anne Whittaker took the ball near the corner of the box, beat three defenders in and sent in a cross that ERAU keeper Fanny Kristiansson was only able to slightly deflect but only to the feet of Gabby Scirica who tapped the ball in for the game-winner.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• This victory marks the second come from behind win for the team as they came back against Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach, Fla. last Saturday to win 2-1 in regulation in that match.
• Tampa goalkeeper Frykgard recorded 7 saves for the second consecutive match as she came up big to keep the score within reach after falling behind and then holding off the Eagles to end regulation and in overtime.
• The loss for Embry-Riddle is only their second in eight games played. Their first loss was against another SSC team as the Eagles fell to Barry 2-1 in Miami Shores, Fla.
 • The 16 shots total is one short of the season-high for Tampa, set three days ago against Florida Southern when they had 17.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Spartans have now won three straight matches as they continue to build on a rough start to the season.
• Seven different players have recorded at least one goal this season and five have recorded at least one assist.

UP NEXT:

The Spartans will travel to Boca Raton, Fla. midweek to take on Lynn University for a conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Fighting Knights fell to Florida Tech by a 1-0 score on the road tonight.

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