Season Comes to an End For Spartans in NCAA Quarterfinals

Box score

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The No. 19 University of Tampa (16-6-2) women's soccer team saw its 2011 season come to an end as Armstrong Atlantic State University (18-2-3) held on for a 2-1 victory over the Sunshine State Conference tournament and NCAA South Regional champions.

"We are obviously very disappointed to end our season in controversial circumstances," says head coach Gerry Lucey. "Our girls battled their hearts out all season and we are extremely proud of their accomplishments. Today just proved a bridge too far as we gave everything but couldn't find a way to get back into the match."

UT saw itself in a quick hole as Morgan Mitchell scored the first of two goals just over three minutes into the match. The score was a header goal from teammate Emily Cattanach.

The Spartans refused to yield to the Pirates as senior Brittan Spence scored for the third time in as many games. This goal came at 34:00 on a penalty kick.

Mitchell would strike for the eventual game-winner in the 62nd minute as she knocked in her second header of the contest. Kristina Pascutti assisted on Mitchell's second score.

"I certainly don't want to take anything away from a very strong opponent in AASU," states Lucey. "They were brave, committed and gave their all too. In a very close and tight encounter they got the goals at the right time and defended with their lives on the line."

Emelie Karstrom started in goal for the Spartans and finished with six saves. The Pirates were credited with 16 shots, including eight on target while the Spartans tallied seven and one respectively.

"It's been a great season for our program and I am very sorry to see the end of the road for our seniors," comments Lucey. "They were my very first recruiting class at UT and I've enjoyed seeing them grow into such remarkable young women. I believe they have learned a lot about themselves and will be a credit to their families and our program."

Tampa played the match without three-time team captain Samantha Kay, who was sidelined due to an injury. The senior midfielder had two goals and three assists on the season as arguably UT's top two-way player.

"We have a lot to look forward to with our current class and I'm sure we will be back next season competing for titles," believes Lucey."

The Spartans conclude the season with 16 victories, marking the program's eighth winning season in the past nine years. Tampa also won the program's third NCAA South Regional as the SSC tourney title was the fifth.

"AASU has created a great program with some excellent players and are fully deserving of the success they've created," continues Lucey. "We fully respect coach Eric (Falconer) and his staff for being solely responsible for this remarkable achievement within a few years. We wish them the best of luck at Final Four and hope they can bring the trophy down south."

There were six seniors playing in their final match as a Spartan. The group includes Marta Bertsos, Alexa Della Rocco, Samantha Kay, Jazmin Perry, Brittan Spence and Charlotte White. The latter four were each four-year letterwinners for UT.

"We missed Samantha Kay out there today," says Lucey. "She is our leader in the middle of the park and I believe this may have been the only game she has missed in her entire career. We wanted to do this for Sam so she could get a chance to finish her career on the field with her classmates. I hope that our seniors get the recognition they deserve. I believe we have proved that we are a complete team year after year and most times our players are overlooked because of this fact. Maybe this year the south region coaches will actually vote for our region's best players and understand the meaning of team players."

Following is a list of where the four seniors who were four-year letterwinners rank in the Tampa all-time record book.
Jazmin Perry: Points - 4th with 64, Goals - 4th with 27, Shots - 8th with 128, Shots on goal - 5th with 64, Minutes - 10th with 4,487
Brittan Spence: Points - 4th with 64, Goals - 5th with 25, Game-winning goals - 4th with 8, Shots - 4th with 160, Shots on goal - 3rd with 88, Games played - 4th with 84, Games started - 9th with 72, Minutes - 9th with 5,304
Samantha Kay: Game-winning goals - 4th with 8, Shots - 5th with 160, Shots on goal - 6th with 59, Games played - 1st with 87, Games started - 1st with 87, Minutes - 2nd with 7,358
Charlotte White: Games played - 2nd with 85, Minutes - 3rd with 7,358