Spartans Drop Tough Match in the Rain to Barry 2-1 in OT

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - In a rematch of last season's NCAA South Regional Final, the University of Tampa women's soccer team dropped a tough and close match in the rain to the Barry University Buccaneers 2-1 in OT. Barry took the lead in the second minute and Tampa answered in the 30th minute before the home side found the winner in overtime in the 96th minute.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final (OT): Tampa 1, Barry 2

Records: Tampa (5-7-1, 3-3-1 SSC), Barry (6-2-1, 3-2-0 SSC)

Location: Buccaneer Field | Miami Shores, Fla.

All-time Series: Tampa trails in the series 9-16-3 against Barry

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half | The home team came flying out once the whistle was blown and took advantage early as Barry forward Molly Sharpe shot from near the center of the box but saw her shot come right back to her after getting blocked by a defender. The block caused Tampa keeper Caroline Frykgard to slip and be unable to get to the second shot that went to the near post and to the back of the net in the second minute of play. The Spartans were able to settle down after that and a back and forth battle ensued in the midfield with neither side getting any threating shots on target for the next 28 minutes. In a similar fashion as the first goal, UT attacker Haley Pigott received a cross from the left side and took a shot that was saved by the keeper but the rebound came right back to Pigott who didn't hesitate to shoot again and tied the game at 1-1. After that, Tampa went into the break with more momentum and looking to take the lead.

2nd Half | The second half started with Barry having three early chances before the rain that had started late in the first half and lasted through halftime intensified and lightning was detected in the area causing the referee to blow her whistle and have the teams walk off the field. The weather delayed lasted about one hour and the playing conditions were very different. A field that was now full of water caused the ball to come to a stop on almost every bounce making passes extra difficult and long crosses unpredictable with the wind also being a factor. Barry had more of the possession as the game restarted but UT began to take over with about 10 minutes left in regulation and the team had three corner kicks in that span and had one more chance in the final minute but were unable to beat the keeper.

1OT | Unlike the last two games for the Spartans, this time, the team was on the wrong end of the final result. Neither side was able to take any shots as the rain made the playing conditions difficult. With four minutes to go in the first OT, Barry attacker Sharpe sent a cross into the box. Due to the rain, the ball came to a dead stop in between Buccaneer forward Carissa Sanchez and UT keeper Frykgard. Before the keeper could get to the ball, Sanchez got her foot to it and tapped it in to end the game.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• This was the fourth match in a row to go into extra time for the Spartans. The team had won two and tied the other match before tonight. This time around, it took some bad fortune for the game to go against the Spartans.
• This was the third game to head into extra time for the Bucs and they have now gone 1-1-1 in those matches.
• Tampa was held to their second lowest number of shots in a game at five.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Five different players for Tampa have now recorded at least two goals this season after Pigott's goal tonight.
• UT has now scored 14 goals this season and has gone four matches in a row with at least one goal.
• Tampa will be looking to finish strong in their final two matches at Saint Leo and vs Florida Tech as they jockey for position in the conference standings with the conference tournament drawing closer and closer.

UP NEXT:

The Spartans will head to St. Leo, Fla. to take on the Saint Leo University Lions on Wednesday in their final road game of the regular season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Lions are coming off a 2-1 loss at Embry-Riddle tonight as the Eagles scored with 29 seconds to go in regulation to win the game.

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