Box Score
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. – Hosting the Sunshine State Conference women’s soccer tournament for the first time since joining the SSC in 2004, the SSC co-champion and top-seeded Nova Southeastern University women’s soccer team (9-6-1, 5-2-1 SSC) fell to the Tampa Spartans (14-5-0, 6-3-0 SSC) in semifinal action, 2-0 on Friday night at the NSU Soccer Complex.
Despite the loss, the Sharks still have a chance to make the NCAA Regional tournament which will be held, Nov. 12-14 at a site to be determined. It will be the first time the Sharks have the opportunity of returning to the NCAA postseason since they did it in back-to-back seasons in 2006 and 2007. NCAA regional tournament participants will be announced on Monday, Nov. 8.
Receiving a first round bye on Tuesday gave the Sharks added rest heading into semifinal action on Friday night which proved beneficial. NSU’s defense came out strong and held a powerful Tampa offense that was averaging 16.71 shots per game to just one shot the entire first half. However, a solid defensive effort by both teams kept the game scoreless at the halftime break.
Heading into the second half, Tampa scored early and never looked back for the 2-0 win. Nova Southeastern managed to outgun the Spartans with six shots to UT’s four. But two of Tampa’s shots found their mark, which ended NSU’s regular season.
Tampa’s first golf came off a rebound just seven minutes into the second half. After a Spartan offside call at 51:13, UT regained possession and kept the ball on their end of the field. Inside the box, the loose ball rebound was picked up by Courtney Peffley which she booted in for the score giving Tampa a 1-0 lead.
After the score, the Spartans dropped back for a strong defensive stand, which NSU was unable to penetrate. However, in the 83rd minute, a cleared ball by Tampa was pushed down the left side by Peffley who skirted the NSU defense and found an open Brittan Spence. Spence received the pass and chipped it over the keeper for UT’s second score, for the 2-0 win.
Tampa will now move on to face the second-seeded Florida Tech Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 1 pm for the SSC Tournament championship at the NSU Soccer Complex.
