Tampa Falls to PBA in Hard-Fought Match at Home

TAMPA, Fla. – The Spartans are unable to respond to the Sailfish as PBA put up two goals to defeat Tampa in their final match of the season.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 

Final Score: Palm Beach Atlantic 2 - Tampa 0

Records: Tampa Spartans 5-3-7,  (1-3-6), Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish 7-7-2, (3-6-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF:

Tampa came out early stringing some possessions together while PBA pressed them high. The first major opportunity for either team would come about 10 minutes in as Sydni Dennis fired off a shot followed shortly thereafter by a shot from Ally Wold. The Spartans gained momentum, soon delivering an offensive corner kick in which Lauren Holschauer would get on the end to head toward the net, but the shot was saved by PBA goalkeeper Taylor Jackson. The Sailfish also had their turn at testing the Spartans defense, but these attempts were broken up by strong defensive effort from Tampa. Toward the end of the half, Mimi Cronquist played a ball into the overlapping Ally Wold in the final third, where Wold would serve a dangerous cross into the box, but no Spartans were in the area to capatalize. With just 5 minutes remaining, PBA would earn a free kick that Tampa was unable to clear, resulting in a well-placed shot by Lea Loubier that snuck past Lia Doohan to put the Sailfish up by one going into the half.

Sailfish 1 - Spartans 0

SECOND HALF:

Starting the half with energy, the Spartans quickly developed a near-opportunity in the box which the Sailfish broke-up. Tampa struggled to connect in the final third in particular, forcing strong defensive effort to hold PBA out of the defensive third. Both teams created a variety of potential opportunities, but remained scoreless in the second half. After a couple of opportunities from PBA, they strung together a connection resulting in a shot and goal from Aidan Mccausland, putting the Sailfish up 2-0 at the 62-minute mark. Tampa, eager to respond, changed formation to press PBA high on the field. PBA continued to have dangerous moments, but the Spartans continued to fight as they built momentum, with one of their most dangerous moments occurring off a corner with just 2 minutes remaining. At the whistle, the score remained 2-0.

Sailfish 2 - Spartans 0

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Sydni Dennis recorded 3 shots during the match.
• The Spartans took 10 shots, the most in a single game over the last 4 games.

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