Spartans Overcome Bulldogs with Second Half Surge to Remain Unbeaten

WINGATE, N.C. - The University of Tampa women's soccer team faced off against the Wingate Bulldogs to wrap up their three game trip to North Carolina. After going down 1-0 early and through halftime, a stupendous second half surge led the scoreline to tilt in their favor as UT walked away with a 2-1 victory that snapped the home team's 24 games home unbeaten streak. This is the second streak of this type that the Spartans have ended this season.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa 2, Wingate 1
Records: Spartans (2-0-1), Bulldogs (0-1-0)
Location: Pride Park | Wingate, N.C.

All-time Series: This was only the second meeting all time between the two schools. Tampa has now won both of those matches.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | The first five minutes of the game were a back and forth affair as both squads looked to find their rhythm and try to dictate the pace of the game. Unfortunately for the Spartans, Wingate took advantage of a set piece at the 6:30 mark to send a long ball into the box where it was flicked on to the back of the box and found a Wingate player that finished to the opposite post past a closing Caroline Frykgard to place UT in an early hole. Both teams would continue to go back and forth exchanging possession of the ball with neither side being able to really find any real chances to threaten the keepers. At the 17 minute mark, Tampa had their best chance to tie the game up. Emily Cady was alone in the middle of the box and the ball bounced right to her. Her right footed shot made it past a sliding defender but came back off the post as the keeper could only watch. Erika Peitersen was there for the follow-up but her half-volley shot went wide of the goal. Tampa picked up the pace after that and kept trying to find a way onto the scoreboard but the Wingate players were first to the 50/50 chances and kept up a high pressure that stifled the attacks by UT. The two teams went to the break with the home team holding on to the slim margin. 

2nd Half | At the start of the second half, it looked like a whole new team for the Spartans stepped onto the field. Senior Haley Pigott started the half for UT and alongside Nastasia Asgedom they were able to create an immediate spark that brought the teaam the confidence they needed. The first ten minutes belonged to the visitors as the action stayed on the Wingate half of the field. The work by Pigott paid off as after creating a couple of chances herself, she beat a defender to a long ball to the endline and was able to draw the teams fourth corner of the second half for her team in the 57th minute. Asgedom stepped up to take the kick and was able to curl it home directly from the cornerkick past the outstretched hand of the keeper. The Spartans would not give up and kept their high pressure on the Bulldogs and in the 70th minute had a chance to take the lead as Mack Beidleman tried to curl a shot to the far post from the left side of the box but it went high and out. The next five minutes the home team tried to come back into the game as they had a couple of chances to build up play but never really threatened the goal defended by Frykgard. The hard work put in by the team was rewarded in the 77th minute. Syd Griner drove into the box and drew a penalty kick. Asgedom stepped up again to take the shot from 12 yards out and she sent it past the keeper to give her team the lead they had worked and fought for. After that, Wingate had a couple of chances but Tampa was able to see the game out and clinch their second win of the season.

INSIDE THE STATS:
• Frykgard had a season high seven saves. 
• UT had four shots on goal and converted two into goals. 
• Three Spartans played all 90 minutes as the team used their substitutions early and often to keep fresh legs on the field in the midday heat.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
• This was the first time in 13 years that these two teams met.
• The Spartans have now snapped two impressive home teams streaks this year. In the season opener, they defeated Belmont Abbey 2-1 ending their run of 25 games without losing at home. Today's victory ends Wingate's streak at 24 games.

UP NEXT: The team will now head back home to Florida and have a couple of days of practice before hitting the road again on Friday to take on Webber in Babson Park, Fla. at 3 p.m.

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