Box Score TAMPA, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University women's soccer team couldn't overcome an early flurry of Tampa goals, falling to the Spartans on the road Saturday evening, 5-1.
The match was scoreless for over 17 minutes, but in the next 18, Tampa (10-2-2, 4-2 SSC) put four of their goals on the board. The first, in the 17th, was Cici Gonzalez's 14th goal of the year on an assist from her sister Miranda. Less than five minutes later, Miranda Gonzalez got one of her own.
The Spartans just need 4:28 more to get their third goal, Gabby Russo from Miranda Gonzalez, and the final goal came in the 35th, as a foul in the box led to a successful penalty kick by Amber Pennybaker that snuck in after deflecting off the left post.
Tampa outshot NSU (4-6-0, 1-5-0 SSC) 14-2 in the first half, and had 10 shots on goal at that point. The teams only combined for 10 shots after to the break, six by UT and four by the Sharks.
The second half was quiet until just over 19 minutes left when Cici Gonzalez notched another goal, off an assist by Russo, adding to her conference-leading total.
The Sharks finally broke through with 11:59 remaining, when an errant Tampa pass towards their own goal was intercepted by
Sierra Lelii (R-Jr., Seminole, Fla.), and she got around a defender and beat Sydney Ross to her right for her team-leading eighth goal of the year.
NSU will look to rebound on Wednesday night when they host Lynn. The match, at 6 p.m., will serve as both a Shark Night and "Think Pink," to raise awareness for breast cancer.
