Spartans Fall to Belmont Abbey in Road Contest

The Spartans dip to 0-2 on the season while the Crusaders draw even at 1-1 on their 2016 campaign.

Leading the UT offense was sophomore Amanda Rom, as the midfielder tallied a pair of goals and an assist on the contest.  Madison Creech and Allie Popelar each scored their first goals of the season, the latter marking her first collegiate goal and assisting another.  The final score was the first of the contest, as Amanda Voges netted the first goal for the Spartans and her fourth of the season.

Defensively, sophomore Shannon Sweeney caused three Belmont Abbey turnovers while picking up three ground balls to lead her squad.  Defenders Amanda Parker and Liz Kramer both contributed two caused turnovers a piece.

Tampa was aggressive in the opening minutes as Voges netted her goal at the 29:00 minute mark on a strong pass from Rom.  Belmont Abbey answered with a trio of goals, with two coming from Erin Kunkel.  Rom found the back of the net on an assist from Popelar to pull within a 4-2 score of the Crusaders.

BAC would answer with a trio of goals to take a 6-2 lead at the end of the first period.

The Crusaders continued their assault with three more goals to pull the match to a 9-2 lead before Rom added her second goal on an assist from sophomore Natalie Carraway.  Strong defense stifled the scoring for both teams before sophomore Creech netted a goal off of a perfect pass from Cierra Kopecky to push the score to a 9-4 advantage for the Crusaders.

Popelar would convert a free-position attempt to end the scoring for both teams, as Belmont Abbey hung on to the win with an 10-5 final score.

BAC goalie Reilly Johnson (1-1) started in the net, completing the game with five saves and allowing five goals.  Senior Caili Guilday (0-2) was tabbed with the loss, allowing 10 goals while also picking up 12 saves.

Tampa will continue its road trip with a Sunday matchup against No. 16 Queens (N.C.) slated for a noon start.  Live stat and video links will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.

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