MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The No. 16 Nova Southeastern University women's soccer team battled Tampa to a 110-minute draw in the Sunshine State Conference semifinals, but were upended in penalty kicks, 5-4 after six attempts on each side, on Friday night at Buccaneer Field.
 
After a scoreless first period, the Sharks (12-3-2) fell behind the Spartans (11-3-5) when Cici Gonzalez redirected an interior pass with her head past the NSU goalkeeper, Jordan Lentz (So., Fort Myers, Fla.) in the 60th minute.
 
NSU then went on the offensive, and finally broke through, as the equalizer came with 22:34 left. Julia Nytorp (Sr., Örnsköldsvik, Sweden) had her first attempt blocked, but the deflection came right back to her, and she was true on the rebound, depositing it left of Tampa's Caroline Frykgard to equalize at 1-1.
 
The Shark aggressiveness continued through the end of regulation, and especially in the first overtime period, when four attempts were solid for the squad. But none found of the back of net, neither then nor in the second extra frame, sending both teams to midfield for penalty kicks.
 
Sierra Lelii (R-Sr., Seminole, Fla.) lined up first and beat Frykgard for a 1-0 lead. Lauren Moore of Tampa was also good, followed by Nytorp putting the Sharks back ahead 2-1. Again, the Spartans knotted things up, this one from Nastasia Asgedom.
 
Frykgard came up with a clutch save on Shark attempt No. 3, and Tampa made their next two, sandwiched around a successful shot from Elizabeth Haumschild (Sr., Riverview, Fla.). With the advantage 4-3 in favor of the Spartans, Samantha Gestido (Sr., Hialeah, Fla.) needed to put hers in to extend time, and she did, pushing the PK score to 4-4.
 
Tampa had a chance to win with the final attempt, but Lentz came up with a huge save to prolong the proceedings. The sixth turn on each side, however, did not go the Sharks' way, as again Frykgard turned away her NSU counterpart, followed by Ali Robinson clinching the win for UT.
 
The Spartans move on to Sunday's championship, to take on the winner of Friday's other semifinal, between Barry and Florida Tech. The Sharks will learn on Monday night whether or not they advance to the South Region Tournament, during the NCAA Selection Show, released online at 6:30 p.m. The link will be live that night HERE.