Spartans Leave it Till Late to Reel in 4th Straight Win

Tampa came out on top 1-0 in OT to remain undefeated

Spartans Leave it Till Late to Reel in 4th Straight Win
September 23, 2017

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's soccer team remain undefeated this campaign as they came out on top 1-0 over Palm Beach Atlantic in OT to improve their run to 5-0-1 overall and 2-0-0 in Sunshine State Conference play. This time around it took five minutes of extra time to find the game winner but they made it count.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa 1, Palm Beach Atlantic 0
Records: Spartans (5-0-1, 2-0 SSC), Sailfish (1-4-0, 0-2 SSC)
Location: Pepin Stadium | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: UT extended their lead in the all-time series to 13-1-0 over PBA and have now won 12 in a row over the Sailfish.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | The first half was a back and forth affair as both sides started the game slowly trying to find a rhythm of play. For the second game in a row, Tampa held onto the ball for most of the half and dictated the pace of the game. The team was able to build up their play from the back and moving forward but the final pass eluded them and they were never really able to threaten the Sailfish goalkeeper into making any saves. On the other end, Caroline Frykgard did not really have a busy night as her backline stopped the few occasions that Palm Beach had on the attack before they got close.

2nd Half | The final half of regulation was similar to the first one. PBA had some more chances as they looked to attack a little more and find a difference maker to put them in front as they looked for their first SSC win of the season. The defense for UT held strong however and communicated well with the midfield to hold them off and keep giving their offense the opportunity to put them in the lead. The Spartans had a handful of solid chances to jump on the scoreboard but the shots went wide, high, or got blocked before finding their way to the goal. At the end of regulation, PBA put in one more press and had a chance to get a late winner but the ball trickled out past the end line and the clock expired sending the game into OT.

1OT | The home side came out to start the extra period with more energy and wanting the win more despite being on heavier legs. The Spartans had a chance to end it two minutes into the period from the penalty spot but the chance went off the crossbar and back into play. The team took advantage of their second chance as Alexa Sheridan sent in the team's eight corner kick of the night and Ali Robinson rose above everyone in the box to head the ball into the back of the net and setting off the celebrations on the field and on the stands.

INSIDE THE STATS:
• Tampa held PBA to no shots in the overtime period and had two of their own and made the final one count.
• The entire back line for the Spartans played every minute of game action.
• The team held an overwhelming 8-1 advantage on corner kicks, a category they have won in all six games this season.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
• Robinson has now scored two game-winners this season to lead the team in that category.
• Of the 10 goals scored by UT, 8 have been assisted.
• Tampa has now recorded two shutouts in a row. 

UP NEXT: The team will have the full week to prepare for their next game as they are off midweek before hosting Florida Southern next Saturday at 7 pm.

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