UT To Host Regional Soccer Finals and National Quarterfinals
TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 17 University of Tampa women's soccer team (16-5-1) prepares for the NCAA South Regional finals which are scheduled to be held on the Spartans' home turf. In the contest, which is slated for 6 p.m. E.T. at Pepin Stadium, UT will face Sunshine State Conference foe, Florida Tech (10-6-3) for the third time this year.
Tampa leads the all-time series record versus FIT (6-1-4) while already defeating the Panthers twice this season. During the first match in October between the SSC teams, UT squeaked pass in a 2-1 double overtime victory as freshman Carolyn Simon scored a late goal at 103:56 on the clock to give the Spartans the victory. The second meeting with Florida Tech, Tampa took home the SSC tournament championship with another 1-0 overtime win as UT's Brittan Spence scored the game-winning goal to secure the lead.
The contest marks the first ever meeting with FIT in the NCAA South Regional tournament. The last time the Spartans made it thus far was back in 2007 when Tampa took home the NCAA national championship. In 2008 following the championship year, UT lost in the second round of the South Regional tournament to West Florida by a 2-0 clip.
Leading Tampa in the match-up is head coach Gerry Lucey as he looks to finish out his fourth season on a magical note.
Helping the Spartans in its eight game winning streak is senior Luana Miessa registering seven goals as Spence ties her teammate in scores after helping her squad capture two game-winners in the post season. Simon, the freshman forward adds six goals of her own as second team all-SSC Samantha Kay chips in three.
Daktronics second team all-South Region and second team all-SSC nominee Courtney Peffley is at the front of the pack registering a whopping 13 assists on the year and racks in a team-high 17 points. Forward Gabby Jolin contributes to the squad netting two goals and dishing out four assists this season.
UT's defense is controlled in the manner of senior captain Pasquale Anderson and freshman goalkeeper Leah Cesanek. Tampa's keeper has already tabbed 11 shut-outs this year and secures a 0.74 GAA.
Florida Tech's head coach Fidgi Haig is in his first season with the Panthers and guiding his team is Casey Lademann tallying 15 goals and three assists as Carly Hunt adds with four and two, respectively. In goal for FIT is Mist Eliasdottir accounting for a 0.69 GAA.
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