No. 21 Catawba Uses Comeback to Defeat Spartans

SALISBURY, N.C.. – The University of Tampa women's soccer team held a lead over No. 21 Catawba University at the break, as the Catawba Indians netted a pair of second-half goals to register the comeback victory.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Catawba 2, Tampa 1

Records: Tampa 0-1, Catawba 1-0

Location: Frock Field || Salisbury, N.C.

All-time series: Tampa holds a 2-1 lead in the all-time series. Thursday's matchup was the first meeting since the 1999 season for the Division II opponents.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF: The Spartans controlled for the majority of the half, outshooting the Catawba Indians by a 5-4 margin. Katherine Hostage scored the first goal of the season for UT, finding the net in the fifth minute on a cross from Madison McElhone. The Spartan goal would register as the lone shot on target in the opening half. Score: 1-0 Tampa

SECOND HALF:  The Catawba Indians came out firing in the final 45 minutes, outshooting the Spartans 7-2 in the second. It took just 36-seconds for Hannah Dunn to even the score at 1-1. The game would stay tied at 1-1 until Catawba buried the eventual game-winner with just under 10-minutes to play in regulation, with Sydney Jimmo scoring for the Catawba Indians. Hostage registered a shot with three minutes to play, followed by an unsuccessful corner kick for the Spartans. Final: 2-1 Catawba

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Hostage, the leading scorer for Tampa in 2021, accounted for the lone goal of the game for the Spartans.
• Hostage would also lead all Spartans with three shots.
• Catawba outshot Tampa 11-7, including a 3-1 edge in shots on goal.
• Sophomore Megan Hessel started in goal for Tampa, finishing with one save.
• Playing all 90 minutes for UT were Sofia Karlholm, Quinn Knapp, Jackie Morris, Gabby Desautels and Hannah Kirkpatrick.

UP NEXT: The Spartans are back in action on Saturday at noon as they meet Chowan in a neutral site matchup at Catawba.