ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Despite the match being even in shots, a second-half goal by Tampa lifted the Spartans to a 1-0 victory over the Eckerd women's soccer team in the Sunshine State Conference opener Wednesday evening at Johnson Field.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Tampa 1, Eckerd 0
Records: Eckerd 1-3 (0-1 SSC); Tampa 4-0-1 (1-0 SSC)
All-Time Series: Tampa leads, 19-3-1
HOW IT HAPPENED
* The match remained scoreless in the first half despite several good chances for Eckerd. In the 35th minute,
Sydney Tiiman rifled off a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar. One minute later,
Gabriela Martinez barely missed the frame on a header that sailed wide.
* Tampa broke the stalemate in the 51st minute with a fortunate bounce off the frame for the game's lone goal. Alexa Sheridan received a pass from the right side and lofted a ball to the left post, hitting the inside portion of the post and bouncing into the goal.
* The Tritons got their best chance to equalize the match in the 71st minute as
Kayla Gray beat her defender and broke free at the top of the 18. She fired a low shot, but Tampa's Caroline Frykgard was there for the save.
* Eckerd came close again within the last two minutes of the match getting the ball in the box and taking a corner kick but failed to convert on the attempts as the Spartans managed to clear the ball before the Tritons could take a shot.
NOTABLE
* After holding Tampa scoreless in the first half,
Casey Winn and the Eckerd back line strung together a streak of 145 consecutive minutes without giving up a goal.
* Eckerd and Tampa were even in the match, both taking 11 shots with four on goal.
* Gray led Eckerd with two shots on goal, while
Stephanie Linton had one.
UP NEXT
The Tritons continue conference play on Saturday traveling to Florida Tech for a 7:00 PM kickoff. The Panthers (3-1-1) had no problems with Lynn on Wednesday in a non-conference match, winning 4-1.
