Tampa Drops Close 1-0 Match to No.9 Flagler

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's soccer team traveled north to take on the No. 9 ranked Flagler College Saints in a regional matchup. The Saints found the lone goal of the game in the 10th minute and were able to withstand the constant pressure by Tampa to win the game. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa 0, Flagler 1
Records: Spartans (6-5-1), Saints (12-0-2)
Location: Saints Field | St. Augustine, Fla.

All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series against Flagler with three wins and just one loss.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Both sides used the first five minutes of the game to settle in and get their legs under them on a field that was very soggy from rain earlier in the day. Flagler began the game with the ball and trying to find a way through but UT held strong. With 10 minutes gone of the first half, the Saints had a corner kick that found a mix of players at the near post. After the ball fell in between the players, Mia Brantley cleared the attempt by the attackers off the line keeping the game scoreless. Unfortunately, FC found the lone breakthrough of the game on their next attack as two players combined near the top of the box and the ball found the back of the net for what would end up being the difference maker. With just over 25 minutes gone in the half, the Spartans had their best chance of the game. Miranda Gonzalez sent in a cross from a corner kick and Lacy Nasello rose the highest to meet the ball and head it towards the goal. The Saints goalkeeper made an acrobatic diving save to palm the ball away and keep the shutout intact. The visitors increased the pace of the game to end the half and were unlucky to not find the goal they tried hard for. 

2nd Half | The second half of the match was a very closely fought back and forth affair. The Spartans began the half with a boost of energy after the break. They had most of the possession but the final pass and touch to break on goal eluded them. As Flagler began to settle in, both sides went back and forth, trying to build on their play from midfield going forward but both defenses were able to get in the way as they got their feet on the ball to deflect passes or intercepted attempts to set the forwards free to keep the score as it was. UT raised the pressure on the home side in the final 10 minutes of the game as they kept the ball and chased the tying goal, coming close to tying the game but the Saints held them off as the clock ticked down to end the game.

INSIDE THE STATS:
• Tampa outshot Flagler 9-6 on the night and 
• The Spartans held a 6-4 edge in corner kicks and came close on a couple of opportunities
• UT held the home team to just two shots on goal.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
• The Spartans are now 2-1-1 in regional matchups this season against non-conference teams.

UP NEXT: The team is on the road yet again as they travel to Melbourne, Fla. as they resume SSC action against Florida Tech. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 7 pm.

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