Sunday, September 2, 2007

NO. 4 TAMPA EDGES TUSCULUM 1-0 IN ELITE EIGHT REMATCH

COLUMBUS, Ga. --- Ashley Flateland's goal in the 22^nd minute proved to be all the offense fourth-ranked Tampa would need as the Spartans defeated Tusculum College 1-0 Sunday afternoon in the final day of the Lady Cougar Invitational. The match was held at the Columbus State University Soccer Complex.

The contest was a rematch of last year's NCAA Division II national quarterfinal which UT won 5-0. Both teams played stellar defense led by their two goal keepers. Tampa's Shannon Aitken posted her third shutout of the season as she faced six shots while accounting for a save. Tusculum freshman Tori Hadjopoulos continued her fine play between the pipes as she allowed one goal against the Spartans while accounting for six saves in her 90 minutes of action.

Flateland's goal came at the 21:12 mark on an assist by Alison Penland.

Tampa (4-0) out-shot Tusculum by a 16-6 margin, but the Pioneers made a furious attack to get the equalizing goal, tallying four shots in the final two minutes of the match, including a blast by Lisa Andriano in the final seconds of the contest, which was stopped by Aitken.

Tusculum (3-2) returns home on Wednesday when they host Pfeiffer University for a 5 p.m. match.

- TC -