Tampa and Saint Leo Play to 2OT Draw

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's soccer team closed out their regular season home schedule on Wednesday night as they welcomed the Saint Leo University Lions to town. The match ended in a 0-0 draw in 2OT as neither side was able to find a game winner in regulation or extra time.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa 0 , Saint Leo 0
Records: Spartans (7-5-2, 4-4-1 SSC), Lions (4-8-1, 3-6-1 SSC)
Location: Pepin Stadium | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series against Saint Leo 20-4-3.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | The Spartans began the game with more energy as they dictated the pace of the game in the first 10 minutes and held more of the possession. Tampa attacked the Saint Leo defense from both sidelines as they tried to break the game open but were unable to get any power behind their shots on goal. After the Lions settled into the game, they had a couple of opportunities to attack the UT defense but also were never really able to get any threatening chances on target. With 15 minutes gone in the first half, the home side had their best chance of the game up to that point as Miranda Gonzalez took a shot from the top of the box on a free kick that drew a diving save from the Lions keeper. The Spartans kept up the pressure on the visitors and were unlucky to not find a breakthrough as SLU used multiple substitutions to slow down the pace of the game and see the first half end scoreless.

2nd Half | Saint Leo started the second half with a goal in mind as they held on to the ball and tried to build up their play and find a way to end the clean sheet by Tampa. With just under half an hour to go in the match, the Lions had a chance to take the lead as a shot from the top of the box drew a diving save from goalkeeper Caroline Frykgard that sent the ball to a corner. On the ensuing set piece, the ball found its way to a crowd of players at the near post but the UT defense was able to clear the danger and keep the scoreless battle going. The Spartans tried to attack on the counter to break up the control by the Lions but the final third was in control of the defense as they werent able to pose a threat. The final chance of regulation belonged to Saint Leo as a shot on a free kick with just over 10 minutes left in the game was tipped over the crossbar by Frykgard. 

1st OT | The first overtime period went back and forth as both sides chased a game winner but did not want to expose themselves to being beat. Saint Leo recorded the only attempt of the first extra period but their attempt was saved by Frykgard.

2nd OT | The Spartans had the only two shots in the final 10 minutes of the match. Unfortunately, neither side was on target as the shots went wide and high. The Lions were able to hold off the home team as the clock counted down and the match ended in a draw with both sides taking one point home.

INSIDE THE STATS:
• UT held a 15-10 edge in shots on the night over SLU
• Both teams combined for 16 fouls called, eight to each team.

UP NEXT: The team will hit the road for one final time in the regular season as they travel to take on the Nova Southeastern University Sharks this Friday at 7 p.m. The match was originally scheduled to be the conference opener but was rescheduled due to Hurricane Irma. 

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