Spartans Overpower Eagles in Season Opener

Box score

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's soccer team traveled south to face the Carson-Newman Eagles in its season opener on Friday night. The 2-1 victory marked the Spartans' first win of 2012.

The Spartans struck first, scoring a goal at the eleven minute mark. After a scramble in the box, sophomore forward Craig Laird put the ball in the back of the Carson-Newman net for the first Spartan goal of the match and of the season. Laird's goal was assisted by senior Dominic Goncalves.

Nine minutes later, the Eagles responded with a goal of their own. After a ball by Eagle Joao Dowsley was denied by Spartan goalkeeper David Niepel, Carson-Newman's Sindre Welo managed to score against him to level the game at one.

Tampa took the lead again in the first half after capitalizing on a corner kick opportunity. Senior defenseman Brian Fekete placed the ball perfectly in the box, finding the head of sophomore Joshua Freese and beating Carson-Newman's goalkeeper for the go-ahead goal. The Spartans led 2-1.

The remainder of the match was silent from either side despite Tampa's nine shots and the Eagle's three in the second half. Tampa concluded the match totaling 15 shots, seven on goal while Carson-Newman notched 9, four on goal.

Spartan goalkeeper Niepel recorded a total of three saves in the 90 minute match.

Head coach Adrian Bush commented on the season-opening victory by saying, "These players deserved it. Tonight it was about the players and they played with great emotion from the opening whistle." Bush continued on to state, "We now turn our focus to our home opener on Sunday."

The Spartans will return to Tampa to continue its 2012 run with a game against the Montevallo Falcons on Sunday. The match will begin at 11 a.m. at University of Tampa's Pepin Stadium. Live stats and a video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.

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