#5 Tampa Set to Host #19 Tusculum With NCAA Final Four at Stake

Tampa, Fla. - The fifth-ranked University of Tampa women's soccer team is set to appear in its first NCAA Quarterfinal, where it will host Tusculum (Tenn.) at 7:00 pm on Saturday for a berth in the NCAA semifinals in Pensacola on November 16. Tampa enters the match with an overall record of 17-2-1 as the 17 victories represent a school record. The Spartans also carry a 34 match consecutive home unbeaten streak into the contest as Tusculum enters with an overall record of 14-2-3 as the Southeast Region champions.

Tampa is led by SSC Coach of the Year Bobby Johnston, who is the program's all-time winningest coach with a UT record of 41-9-5 (.791). Johnston has led the Spartans to four consecutive NCAA appearances, which are the lone four of the program's history. UT carries an all-time NCAA tournament record of 4-2-1 while winning the South regional for the first time in program history this season.

SSC Offensive Player of the Year Shelby Kuni leads the Tampa attack as the sophomore from Houston has set a school record with 25 goals this season, which is one shy of the SSC single-season record. SSC Defensive Player of the Year Malana Winskas teams with fellow defender Nicole Murphy and goalkeeper Shannon Aitken to lead a Tampa defense that has stifled opponents all season. The Spartans have recorded 11 shutouts and outshot its opponents 200-58.