Four Spartans Represented On All-Regional Team

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The University of Tampa women's soccer team had four players named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-South Region team. Pasquale Anderson, Samantha Kay, Jazmin Perry and Brittan Spence were each third team selections.

"I'm delighted that these players received their individual recognition on a regional level," says head coach Gerry Lucey. "This is an honor for our program after a difficult season of results. We outplayed and outshot so many teams this year without getting our just desserts. It's nice to see the coaches in our region recognizing our talent. We have other players who also deserved awards too and hopefully next year they will be recipients also. Team success will bring individual recognition."

Anderson, a junior defender from Fort Lauderdale, completed her first season at UT after transferring from the University of South Florida. She was one of five Spartans to start all 18 matches while ranking second on the squad with 1,566 minutes played. She also tallied five shots, including two on goal.

"I'm very happy for Pasquale as she was a pillar of strength at the back for us this season," says Lucey. "She put in many brilliant performances and has proven to be a great transfer this fall. Pasquale came here low on confidence but has turned that around and been excellent in terms of technical ability and also a physical force at the back. I'm really looking forward to seeing what level she can bring herself to within the next year."

Kay, a sophomore midfielder from Ocean, N.J., also started all 18 contests while tallying three goals and four assists. She also registered a game-winning goal to go with 47 shots, 12 of which were on goal.

"Samantha has been the engine room of the midfield this year and gets through an enormous amount of work," says Lucey. "She is growing as a player and hopefully will push herself harder in becoming a leader and improving her technical ability."

Perry, a sophomore forward from Perry, Ohio, led all Tampa players with eight goals in 2009. While playing in all 18 matches, Perry notched 32 shots and 18 shots on goal.

"Jazmin was our top scorer this season and has deservedly been recognized," states Lucey. "She put in a lot of work in the off season and has been getting better in the final third. We expect a lot from Jazmin next season."

Spence, a sophomore forward from Southampton, Pa., earns the recognition for the second straight season. Spence collected two goals and an assist this year, with one goal coming as a game-winner. She also recorded 37 shots, 15 on goal.

"Brittan receives her second all-South region award and brings energy and passion to the field," says Lucey. "It's nice to see that she has been noted again as a stand out on the field. Brittan has the ability to get even better and hopefully we will see that in the spring season and going into the fall."

Click here for the complete 2009 NSCAA All-South Region team