Tampa, Fla. (November 3, 2006) - Freshman forward Jocelyn Charette scored two goals and defender Nicole Murphy registered two assists as # 1 Tampa (16-2-1) defeated #4 Nova Southeastern (11-4-2) by a score of 3-0 on Friday night in NCAA first round action.

The undermanned Sharks held their own until Charette put the Spartans up 1-0 in the 15th minute.

The SSC Freshman of the Year struck again in the 25th minute after a nice header by Shelby Kuni at the top of the 18 yard box that found Charette on the left side of the penalty area.

Despite allowing three goals, Sharks' goalkeeper Megan Kim (Fr., Valrico, Fla.) played well, making nine saves including a spectacular diving save on Charette in the first half. Tampa goalkeeper Shannon Aitken only needed to make two saves to preserve the clean sheet.

Tampa came into the match ranked fifth in the latest NSCAA Division II poll.

"[Tampa] is good at what they do," said defender Jenny Turner (Jr., Rockledge, Fla.) "They do it like a job. They do their work and go home. Everyone on that team works hard until the end."

Despite the loss, the young Sharks consider the season, one in which they received their first-ever NCAA bid, a success.

"Even though we did more than what most people expected of us," started midfielder Stephanie Quinones (So., Pembroke Pines, Fla.), "we did what we expected us to do."

The team was ranked fourth in the Sunshine State Conference preseason poll and finished third behind ranked foes Tampa and Saint Leo.

"We came in hoping to get this far and worked hard in order to accomplish it," said defender Jahmila Williams (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). "We definitely hope for more in the future."

The Sharks will look to the future now as all 11 starters are eligible to return to action next season.