Spartans Blank Wolves 3-0 In Season Opener

Box score

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The University of Tampa women's soccer team began the 2010 season with a convincing 3-0 win over the University of West Georgia on Friday in the 2010 Cougar Invitational. The squad will play its second match of the tournament on Sunday.

Just five minutes into the contest, freshman goalkeeper Leah Cesanek made her first save in a Tampa uniform. In the 12th minute, senior Luana Miessa collected her own Spartan first as she took a pass from freshman Alyson Gregorowicz into the back of the net to put UT up 1-0.

Forward Natalie Gibson scored her first goal of the season in the 31st minute after beating the defender and putting the ball inside the left post. Junior Jazmin Perry, last year's leading goal scorer and point getter, rounded out the game's scoring when she tallied her first in the 87th minute, putting the game out of reach for the Wolves. Junior Samantha Kay notched her first two points of the season after assisting on both of the final two goals.

The Spartans outshot the Wolves 19-6 in the contest. Cesanek posted her first shutout of the season, finishing with four saves. West Georgia's Patricia Logsdon finished with six.

Notes: It is the first time since 2007 that the Spartans won their season opener…Tampa went 1-3 while playing at Columbus State last season…UT posted three shutouts in 2010.