Record Stretch For Tampa Ends In Overtime Decision At North Georgia
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - Playing its third game in a two-day span, the No. 22 University of Tampa (0-3) men's soccer team had its third game of the young season decided in overtime. The Spartans fell by a 2-1 margin to North Georgia College & State University (2-1-1).
It did not take long for Tampa to grab the first lead of the contest, with freshman Andrew Clare finding the back of the Saints net unassisted at 1:06.
North Georgia would even the match at 1-1 just before half, with a 42nd minute goal from Gustavo Cunha.
Following a scoreless second half, the contest went to overtime knotted at 1-1. NGCSU's Max Angel scored the game-winner from 30-yards out at 93:02.
The game proved to be a shootout, with North Georgia and Tampa recording 19 and 13 shots respectively. The Saints were also credited with 11 shots on goal, with the Spartans tallying six. Dominic Cutrofello led UT with four shots, two on target.
Tampa relied on the goalkeeping tandem of sophomore David Niepel and freshman Kody Parker. Niepel started and allowed one goal while notching four saves. Parker, playing in his first collegiate game, recorded five saves while allowing one goal in 48:02.
The Spartans return home where it will welcome Florida Memorial University for the 2011 home-opener at Pepin Stadium. Sunday's game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.
Fans may also follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans). UT also offers blAst, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.
