Spartans Subdue Trojans in Season-Opening Battle

Box score

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The University of Tampa women's soccer team faced the Anderson Trojans on Friday night in the team's season-opening matchup. A 3-1 victory gave the Spartans their first win of their highly anticipated 2012 season.

Tampa took the lead 26 minutes from the opening whistle. Tampa freshman Jess Frank fed the ball to fellow freshman forward Cici Gonzalez. Gonzalez put a one-timer past Anderson goalkeeper Kaitlyn Neipp for the first Spartan goal of the season.

The scoring continued with less than two minutes to go in the first half. After Tampa was awarded a corner kick, a ball off the foot of Gabby Russo found Jenny Karl who shot a one-timer into the back of the Trojan net. The Spartans held a 2-0 lead against the Trojans going into the second half.

Shortly after the start of the second, Gonzalez struck again to extend the Spartan lead to 3-1. Senior Courtney Peffley was awarded the assist on the goal.

Later on in the match, Anderson's Kathryn Purinton eliminated the Spatans' shut out chances by beating Tampa goalkeeper Kori Butterfield for an unassisted goal.

The remainder of the match was silent, leaving the 3-1 score intact for a Tampa victory, its first of the season. Tampa totaled 26 shots compared to Anderson's six. Butterfield recorded three saves in her first match as a Spartan.

After the game, head coach Gerry Lucey stated, "I was happy and impressed with some individual performances and some of our combination of play in different areas. We still have a ton of work to get through on the practice field."

The Spartans will use their work on the practice field and continue the team's road trip with a game against #22 Columbus State on Sunday.

"We have a tough opponent on Sunday in CSU," said Lucey, "this will be a strong measuring stick as CSU have been a top 10 team on a regular basis over the past 5-6 seasons.

Tampa's second match of the season begins at 1:30 p.m. against the nationally ranked Columbus State Cougars. Live stats and a video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.

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