August 31, 2018
Spartans Battle Back in Goalfest
Tampa score twice in the second half, ultimately tie West Alabama.
LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of Tampa opened the season with a high-scoring affair, which resulted in a 4-4 draw (2OT), against the University of West Alabama. The two teams scored four goals in the final six minutes of the first half. Emily Cady scored twice in the match, which surpassed her career total of one goal scored.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa 4, West Alabama 4 (2OT)
Records: Tampa Spartans (0-0-1), West Alabama Tigers (1-0-1)
Location: Tiger Stadium || Livingston, Ala.
All-time Series: This was the first meeting between the two teams.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | The Tigers kicked off the scoring early on as Bailee Martin netted in the fourth minute of the match. After scoring two goals in the West Alabama opener, TeMia Pride tallied her third goal of the season in the 39th minute. The Spartans' recorded their first goal of the season in the 42nd minute as Erika Peitersen put one past the keeper. West Alabama extended the lead to 3-1 in the 44th minute when Kaylah Butterworth scored on an assist from Anele Komani, her second assist of the half. Less than a minute later, Cady narrowed the deficit to 3-2 before halftime.
2nd Half | Lacy Nasello equalized the game at 3-3, on a corner kick from Alexa Sheridan, in the 49th minute. The Spartans took the lead in the 54th minute in part to Emily Cady's second goal of the evening. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the match, Taylor Koester fouled the Tigers in the box which provided West Alabama a penalty kick opportunity. Martin, a junior defender, stepped into the box and ultimately scored to tie 4-4.
Extra Time | The Spartans put up five shots in the two extra time periods, compared to West Alabama's two shots.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- Sophomore Emily Cady scored one goal last season in 16 games played, Cady scored twice this evening.
- The Spartans laced 36 shots in total, 25 on goal, the most total shots since October 28, 2014.
- Cady and Sheridan ripped six shots a piece, both players had five shots on goal.
- Nasello, Koester, and Ali Robinson played the entire 110 minutes.
- Megan Bromwell went into net in the second half and made five saves in 65 minutes.
- UT was charged with two yellow cards to West Alabama's one.
UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will take on No. 18 Mississippi College on Sunday at 2 p.m. (ET) in Livingston, Ala. Follow tampastats.com for live updates.
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