Spartans and Fighting Knights Clash Finishes 1-1 in 2OT

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's soccer team recorded their first draw of the season as their match against the Lynn University Fighting Knights ended 1-1 in 2OT. The Knights took the lead in the 73rd minute and Tampa tied the game in the 87th minute to send it into extra time.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final (2OT): Tampa 1, Lynn 1

Records: Tampa (4-6-1, 2-2-1 SSC), Lynn (2-6-1, 0-4-1 SSC)

Location: Bobby Campbell Stadium | Boca Raton, Fla.

All-time Series: Tampa now holds a record of 14-5-3 against Lynn

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half | The first half of the game belonged to the home side as they dictated the pace and had more of the possession as they tried to get into any rhythm. The first shot of the game, however, took its time to come as it was not until 20 minutes in that the Knights recorded it. The lone shot on goal in the first half came in the 32nd minute and Tampa keeper Caroline Frykgard made the save. Tampa was not able to get any shots off as the back four for Lynn shut them down.

2nd Half | The second half was very similar to the first half as Lynn looked for the opening goal, often attacking from the wings. Again, Lynn had more of the ball and put nine shots on the board while UT managed only a pair of shots. The constant pressure paid off as the Knights were able to break through with Loreana Lonigro scoring to give her team the lead in the 73rd minute of play. As has been the story during the four-game unbeaten streak, the Spartans were woken up by the goal and began to look alive with the hard work paying off three minutes from the final whistle as Sarah Raymond sent in a cross that Ali Robinson met at the back post to tie the game at 1-1. Neither side was able to do anything in the final two minutes of the match and the game headed to extra time.

1OT | The first overtime belonged to the Knights as they fought with the little energy they had left to score the game winner, outshooting the Spartans 4-0 including a pair of back to back shots in the last minute of the period that went high and wide.

2OT | The effects of having played 100 minutes were evident in the final period of the game as neither side was able to really threaten the goalkeepers as the Knights only had one shot while Tampa had two. Lynn held on in the final minutes of the game as the visitors put pressure looking to repeat the heroics from their last game.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• This is the second match in a row that the Spartans have played over 100 minutes. Their last match at home ended in 105 minutes after Gabby Scirica scored the game winner against Embry-Riddle, assisted by Whittaker.
• Tampa is now undefeated in their last four matches as they have won three and tied one.
• The draw is the first one of the season for either side. Lynn had dropped their first OT game to Saint Leo 2-1 and Tampa had won their first OT game.
 • The Fighting Knights outshot the Spartans 17-4 overall and 5-1 on goal but Tampa was able to make their shot on goal count as it was enough to clinch the tie.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• In a match that had few highlight plays for the Spartans, freshman defender Lacy Nasello stood out. While her plays on defense will not appear on the box score, Nasello shut down Lynn leading scorer Donish Cole. The leading scorer for Lynn tried time after time to beat the Spartan back line for a clear play on goal but Nasello was there alongside almost the entire game. The defender made key tackles that prevented Cole from breaking free on the counter and in the run of play that stopped what could have been three or four one on one plays against Frykgard that might have put the game out of reach. Nasello was often the last defender which made the stops that much more critical and played without fouling and creating more danger.
• With her goal, Robinson is now tied for second on the team in points with four and goals with two with Scirica.
• This season has quickly gone by and has only four matches left; two at home and two on the road. Eckerd and Florida Tech will come to Tampa while the team has road trips left to Barry and to Saint Leo.

UP NEXT:

The Spartans will have a bye this weekend and will rest before hosting Eckerd College next Wednesday, October 12 for their second to last home match of the regular season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Tritons will be coming off a weekend trip to West Palm Beach to take on Palm Beach Atlantic.

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