Spartans Dominate Home Opener

TAMPA, Fla – The University of Tampa women's soccer team kicked off their season tonight at Pepin Stadium. The Spartans played host to Christian Brothers University (Memphis, TN) in a rematch from last year's season opener for both sides. After last year's 1-0 win on the road in Tennessee, the Spartans had confidence going into this match and it showed from the first whistle.

               The game started out fast with both teams feeling each other out through the first five minutes. CBU was able to get the first real possession in their attacking third but by the 30^th minute mark of the first half, the Spartans were in full control. The first big moment for the game and the season for the Spartans came at the halfway point of the first half.

After conceding an attacking free kick, CBU's Alexa Franklin rifled her shot to the top corner of the net but Aiden Smith stood tall and made a diving one handed save. One of the key returners for this year's Spartans squad, Aiden Smith who as a freshman firmly put herself on the map. In 2023, her exceptional play in net landed herself in the top five of almost every goalkeeper single season records. Tonight against the Bucs, Smith would pick up right where she left off, making multiple key saves and being the backbone of the Spartans defense.

The first half unfortunately came to a stop with 13:37 left in the first half due to lightning and was delayed for almost an hour. Both squads were able to come back onto the pitch to finish the first half but not before Sydni Dennis found the back of the net to score the first goal of the season for the Spartans. The Spartans would generate a few more chances towards the end of the half but would take a 1-0 lead into the break.

Coming out of halftime the Spartans would keep the bulk of the possession through the first 10 minutes of the second half but were unable to convert on their chances. The Tampa back line played a near perfect second half as goalkeeper Aiden Smith was only tested a single time the entire half. Thanks to the great play of the defense the Spartans were able to control the last 30 minutes of the game. This dominant stretch to end the contest was led by a world class strike to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.

The final 10 minutes of the match saw more fantastic defense from the Spartans and another wonderful goal scored by Mimi Cronquist. The Spartans were able to close out the home opener with a 3-0 win over Christian Brother University. The Spartans will be back in action this Saturday at 11:00am when #11 Lee University comes to Pepin Stadium.