Kuni Ties Career Goals Record to Help Spartans to SSC Finals

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - After a scoreless first half, the 14th-ranked University of Tampa (15-2-2) women's soccer team scored a pair of second half goals to defeat Rollins (10-8-1) by a score of 2-0 in the Sunshine state Conference tournament semifinals. The Spartans advance to meat Saint Leo for the SSC title.

After 49 minutes of scoreless play, Tampa's offense forced Rollins into an uneasy situation as UT fired three consecutive shots, with the third sailing past the Rollins goalkeeper. The Spartan goal was credited to Marissa Bernard from Alison Penland.

The second Tampa goal, which came at 71:18, made history for Shelby Kuni as she tied Tai Kirklin for first on UT's all-time goals list. The junior from Houston now has 51 career goals, 12 in 2007. The record-tying goal was assisted by Emily Stack and Brittney Evans.

The Spartans were able to keep the ball in their offensive zone for the majority of the game as UT outshot the Tars 21-11. Of those, Tampa outshot Rollins 11-3 on goal. Corner kicks were 8-2 in favor of the Spartans.

The game also marked the 10th shutout of the season for UT goalkeeper Shannon Aitken. She finished with three saves on the evening.

Tampa and Saint Leo are now set to meet for the 2007 SSC tournament championship on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will be a rematch of last season's title game, which was a 4-3 Tampa victory in double overtime.