Tampa Falls Just Short to No. 5 Embry-Riddle

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Spartans played the No. 5 Embry-Riddle Eagles close, but could not come away with the win.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: No. 5 Embry-Riddle 3, Tampa 2

Records: Embry-Riddle (7-0-3, 4-0-1 SSC), Tampa (4-2-3, 0-2-3 SSC) 

Location: Pepin Stadium || Tampa, Fla. 

All-time series: Embry-Riddle leads the series 6-5 

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF: Embry-Riddle kept up consistent offensive pressure and had four shots in the first 10 minutes of the contest. The Eagles struck first with a 16^th-minute goal from Grace Foyer to the bottom right corner of the net off an assist by Savanna Sheahan. However, Tampa responded just 57 seconds later on an unassisted goal by Brooke Steigerwalt, marking her second straight match with a goal. Embry-Riddle would regain the lead off a corner kick in the 33^rd minute in front of the goal area. The entry kick was initially defended by the Spartans, but Sheahan would put the ball in the back of the net off an assist by Isabelle Navren.

SECOND HALF: The Eagles extended their lead in the 60^th minute with a Berglind Thrastardottir goal where she worked her way from the right side of the Tampa territory to the middle of the field and put a strike past a diving Aidan Smith. The Spartans kept the game close when Grace Fowler scored an unassisted goal of her own that tipped off the hand of Embry-Riddle goalkeeper Oona Jokinen above her head in the 63^rd minute. From there, Tampa could not put together any more offensive chances as the Eagles held on for the win.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Steigerwalt scores for 2^nd straight game
• Fowler scored her 1^st goal of the season
• Smith recorded a season-high 6 saves
• Embry-Riddle outshot Tampa 16-5 and took 11 more corner kicks

UP NEXT: Tampa travels to play Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday, October 11 at 7:00 PM.