Spartan women lose conference debut at Nova

UT spotted Nova Southeastern University a two goal lead before trying to come back, but in the end, the Spartans (4-6-1) came up short. The 3-2 loss in Ft Lauderdale was UT's first Sunshine State Conference match of the season.

Nova (5-4-0) put Tampa in a hole right off the bat, with two goals in the first twenty minutes. After the second goal, the rest of the first half chances all fell to the Spartans. The Sharks failed to get another shot off for the remaining twenty-five minutes of the half, while UT made eight shots. Tampa out shot Nova 11-5 in the first half, but all they had to show for it was an unassisted goal in the the thirty-first minute by leading scorer Jazmin Perry [right]. It was Perry's sixth goal of the year.

After the halftime break, the Spartans kept up their assault on the Sharks goal. Starting the half down 2-1 UT again out shot Nova 6-2 in the second half. Unfortunately, the Sharks converted one of their two chances in the fifty-eighth minute to go up 3-1.

Caroline Spencer provided a consolation goal for the Spartans in the sixtieth minute off assists by Samantha Kay and Sara Kneeland. In the end, UT just could not find the equalizer.

Friday's loss completes a difficult six game road trip for the Spartans. UT lost four of those six matches. Sunday will be Tampa's next match and even though it will be at home it won't be any easier as #22 in the country Lynn University comes to town. The match will be at Pepin Stadium at noon on Sunday.