Tampa Falls In NCAA Tournament

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 17 University of Tampa women's soccer team was defeated in PK's by Florida Tech (2-3) following a double overtime session (1-1). Florida Tech advances in the NCAA tournament with a 11-6-4 record while Tampa ends its season 16-5-2 overall.

In the first stanza both teams came out roaring as each Sunshine State Conference member produced an impressive defensive performance. Tampa outshot its opponent in the half tallying six attempts to the Panthers three as FIT just edged the Spartans registering three shots on goal compared to UT's two.

With less than five minutes left in the first half, the SSC regular season champions received a great look after a header from Alexa DellaRocco bounced into the net just as a whistle was blown from the referee calling a foul and waving the goal. The opportunity came after a free kick from the foot of second team all-South Region and second team all-SSC Courtney Peffley. At the expiration of 45 minutes, both teams headed into the locker room with the score knotted at zero.

In the second period, FIT's Casey Lademann would score a goal in the 47th minute after a free kick that was placed in the upper right-hand corner of the net as Florida Tech would take the lead 1-0. With a sense of urgency stirring, UT would pick up the intensity committing 14 of its 18 final fouls in the second half. In the 76th minute, Tampa's aggression would pay off as Brittan Spence would be able to convert off of a Peffley cross marking the score at 1-1.

After regulation time expired, UT found themselves again in overtime with the Panthers for the third time this year. Following two 10 minutes periods, both teams would remain tied as the game would end in a shootout fashion.

After successful shots from Tampa's Luana Miessa and Gabby Jolin the Spartans would not be able to capitalize falling 2-3 in penalty kicks. Freshman Leah Cesanek ended the competition with four saves as Florida Tech's keeper Mist Eliasdottir notched seven.