Tampa Cruises to NCAA First Round Victory

Box score

Tampa, Fla. - The fifth-ranked University of Tampa women's soccer team scored three first-half goals to register a 3-0 victory over Nova Southeastern in the first round of the NCAA II South Regional, which is being held at Tampa's Pepin Stadium. The Spartans improve to 16-2-1 on the season as they stretch their homefield unbeaten streak to 33 consecutive matches, which is a school record.

Freshman Jocelyn Charette scored UT's first two goals, striking at 14:34 and again at 26:21. Her 16th and 17th goals of the season were both assisted by Nicole Murphy as Katie Callahan was also credited with an assist on the first goal and Shelby Kuni on the second. Kuni later found the net from freshman Ashley Flateland at 32:32 to seal the Spartan victory.

Shannon Aitken recorded her ninth shutout of the season as the junior netminder faced six shots and was credited with two saves. The shutout was the 23rd of Aitken's career, which is a UT school record.

Tampa advances to the NCAA South Regional Final on Sunday as they look to advance to their first NCAA quarterfinal. The Spartans with meet number-nine West Florida, who Tampa defeated 2-0 earlier this season in Pensacola. The matchup is also the same as lat season's NCAA South Regional Final that was won by West Florida by a score of 1-0.