Tampa Today

TAMPA, FL. – The University of Tampa women’s soccer team met NCAA Division II regional opponents Alabama-Huntsville, coming away with a 3-0 win in their home opener.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Tampa 3, Alabama-Huntsville 0

Records: Tampa 2-1, Alabama-Huntsville 0-1-1

Location: Pepin Stadium || Tampa, FL

All-time series: Tampa won their first ever matchup against the Chargers, making the all time series now 1-2 in favor of the Chargers.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF: The Spartans would put the pressure on the Chargers backline as the whistle blew, not giving Alabama-Huntsville any time with the ball. As Tampa kept the high pressure with their forwards, a stray backwards pass would put the opposing keeper chasing the ball towards her own goal. Katherine Hostage would make sure the ball ended up in the back of the net as she put the Spartans up 1-0 in the 16th minute. A strong defensive line would not budge, as a long ball from the midfield would find the Spartans with a corner. Stephanie DeLaforcade would take the corner, as it found Hostage in the box, doubling the Spartans score shortly after the 18th minute. Score: 2-0 Tampa

SECOND HALF: It would be much of the same throughout the 2nd half, as the Spartans would dominate in all areas of the game. As Alabama-Huntsville still struggled to get into Tampa’s final third, the high pressure from Tampa would once again pay dividends, as a bad touch would find the Spartans on the counter attack. As a low cross from Madison McElhone would find Hostage in front of goal with the tap in. Completing her hat trick would put the game out of reach. Final: Tampa 3-0

INSIDE THE STATS:

• The Spartans outshot the Chargers 13-1 in the game.

• Hostage recorded her first college hat trick in todays game

• 11 of Tampa’s 13 shots were on target, as Alabama-Huntsville did not record a shot on target

• McElhone and DeLaforcade both recorded an assist, both now have three on the season

• Jackie Morris (2), Hostage (4), and DeLaforcade (2) all recorded multiple shots

• The Spartans had 9 corners compared to the Chargers 0

UP NEXT: Tampa returns home on Sunday as the Spartans will host Minnesota State Moorhead at 11 a.m. at Pepin Stadium.

• The 2021 defending national champions look to play their first home game since the title-clinching win in December. They enter the weekend 4-0 after a sweep in North Carolina at the Queens (N.C.) University Tournament. The Tampa Spartans has 11 returners with the addition of eight newcomers including two transfers and six freshmen.

#24 Colorado Mesa

• The Mavericks received 79 votes in the preseason poll and moved up to #24 in the country after going 3-1 in their first weekend of play with a big early season victory against #19 University of Texas at Tyler.

Wheeling

• In the preseason poll they received 98 votes. The Cardinals began the season 1-3, with two loses coming from two top-10 ranked programs in the country (#5 University of West Florida and #8 University of Central Missouri).

Tusculum

• The Pioneers come into the weekend only playing one game on the year. Tuesday was their home opener against Carson-Newman where they lost 3-2.

Game Times:

Friday – September 2

Game One – 3:30 p.m.            Wheeling vs. #24 Colorado Mesa

Game Two – 6:00 p.m.           #1 Tampa vs. Tusculum

Saturday – September 3

Game Three – 11:00 a.m.       Tusculum vs. Wheeling

Game Four – 1:30 p.m.           #1 Tampa vs. #24 Colorado Mesa

Game Five – 5:30 p.m.            #24 Colorado Mesa vs. Tusculum

Game Six – 8:00 p.m.              #1 Tampa vs. Wheeling

Live stats for all games this weekend can be found at Tampastats.com. 

Live broadcast for all games this weekend can be found at TampaSpartans.tv. 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 1 Spartans fend off Wingate and brush off Lee to close out the Queens University Classic. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #1 Tampa 3 (1: 25-21, 3: 25-22, 4: 25-15) Wingate 1 (2: 25-22)

Records: #1 Tampa 3-0,  Wingate 2-1

Location: Levine Center at Queens University|| Charlotte, N.C..

Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

HOW IT HAPPENED:

First Set: The first of the four-set affair was dominated by sets of runs from both teams. The Spartans jumped out first stretching the lead to 9-5, but the Bulldogs responded with a 7-1 run of their own forcing a timeout from the Spartans. The rest of the frame was back and forth until the Spartans capitalized on two blocks, one solo from middle Tatyana Lyons, and one assisted from outside Kalli Cors and middle Mackenzie Dufresne. Score: 1-0 Tampa

Second Set:  The second was a played more consistent than the first, both teams trading one or two points until the Bulldogs built a lead on the back of a 4-1 run. Tampa attempted to recover the set with a late run of their own, but the Bulldogs would clinch the second. Score: 1-1 Tied

Third Set: A 5-1 run from the Bulldogs to start the frame forced a timeout from the Spartans early in the third. Coming out of the timeout the Spartans responded with a 5-1 run of their own to bring the tally back to 6-6. But Tampa didn’t stop there, the Spartans built a five-point lead capitalizing on a 7-0 service run from setter Zoey Seput. The lead proved to be too tall of a hill for the bulldogs to climb and tamp took the third. Score: 2-1 Tampa

Fourth Set: Tampa jumped out to an early four point lead in the fourth frame and never looked back. The setting combo of sophomore’s Emily Noe and Seput both recorded six assists in the final set, distributing the ball to outsides Cors and Nathaly Perez as well as middle Mackenzie Dufresne. The setting display led the Spartans to domination in the fourth set and Tampa clinched the match. Final: 3-1 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Dufresne recorded a career High 17 Kills and only 1 error.
• Two Spartans finished with double-digit kills: Dufresne(17) and Cors (15).
• Noe ad Seput combined for 50 assists and 33 digs.

UP NEXT: The Spartans return home for the Tampa Classic this upcoming weekend to face off against three non-conference opponents on Friday, September 2nd and Saturday, September 3^rd.

Text Alerts: UT also offers a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.

Front Row: Download the official app of UT Athletics on the Apple or Android store. Look for the Tampa Spartans Front Row app to receive notifications from your favorite Spartan teams. The app is completely free.

GAMEDAY MULTIMEDIA: Fans may watch all home games and Sunshine State Conference contests on TampaSpartans.tv. Live stats are also available through TampaStats.com.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:  Be sure to follow @TampaSpartans on all socials for up-to-date information on University of Tampa Athletics. Please give us a follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and use our official hashtag, StandAsOne.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A Saturday evening matchup between No. 21 University of Tampa and No. 8 Auburn University at Montgomery was canceled shortly after kickoff due to weather that caused unplayable field conditions.

The Spartans will return home where they will host No. 14 Chowan University on Saturday at 7 p.m., at Pepin Stadium.

SALISBURY, N.C.. – The University of Tampa women’s soccer team met NCAA Division II opponent Chowan University in a neutral site match, coming away with a lopsided 5-0 victory.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Tampa 5, Chowan 0

Records: Tampa 1-1, Chowan 0-2

Location: Frock Field || Salisbury, N.C.

All-time series: Tampa is now 2-0 all-time versus the Hawks. This marked the first meeting between the two teams since the 2009 season.

Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF: The Spartans struck early and often, establishing a commanding lead while scoring three first-half goals. It took just over seven minutes for the Spartans to find the back of Chowan’s net, with All-American Katherine Hostage netting her second goal of the season on a ball from teammate Madison McElhone. UT would add goals in the 31st and 37th minutes from Mimi Cronquist and Emily Floyd, respectively. Fannie Peatt assisted the Cronquist score while Sydni Dennis found Floyd for the third goal of the contest. Tampa outshot the Hawks 11-1 in the first 45 minutes, with four being on target. Score: 3-0 Tampa

SECOND HALF: Tampa’s defense did not let up, with the Spartans outshooting Chowan 9-2 in the second half. UT had three shots on goal as the Hawks had none. A pair of goals added to Tampa’s lead, with Sophie Shrader scoring her first goal of the season at 65:39 on a goal assisted by Peatt and Stephanie deLaforcade. Freshman Grace Fowler registered her first collegiate goal in the 70th minute on an unassisted score. Final: 5-0 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• The Spartans outshot the Hawks 20-3 in the game.
• Seven of UT’s 20 shots were on goal as Chowan did not register a shot on goal.
• Fowler and Shrader each had three shots to lead the Spartans.
• A total of 13 Spartans had a shot.
• Recording two shots on goal were Fowler, Hostage, Floyd, and Shrader.
• Megan Hessel started in goal for Tampa and was the winning goalkeeper while playing the first half.
• Vitória Antunes played the entire second half for Tampa, making her Spartan debut.

UP NEXT: Tampa returns home for its 2022 home opener on Thursday. The Spartans will host the University of Alabama at Huntsville at 7 p.m., at Pepin Stadium.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.. –  Top ranked Spartans open up the regular season with two dominant wins

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: 

No. 1 Tampa 3, North Greenville 0  (25-11, 25-17, 25-12)

No. 1 Tampa 3, West Virginia Wesleyan (25-14, 25-21, 25-13)

Records: No. 1 Tampa (2-0),  North Greenville (1-1), West Virginia Wesleyan (0-2)   

Location: Queens University Levine Center || Charlotte, N.C.     

Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.          

HOW IT HAPPENED:   

The Spartans picked up right where they left off after last year’s National Championship securing two dominant victories in the Queens University Fall Classic. Transfer setter Zoey Seput put on a very strong performance in her first action for the Spartans tallying 20 assist in the first match, a multitude of those going to veteran outside hitter Kalli Cors as well as Nathaly Perez, who also saw her first in game action for the Spartans following her redshirt year. Tampa would take the matchup against North Greenville by three sets to none. The Spartans returned later in the evening to square off against West Virginia Wesleyan, who would suffer the same fate as North Greenville. 

UP NEXT: The Spartans continue in the Queens University Fall Classic tomorrow, Saturday, August 27^th, against Wingate and Lee University at 12PM and 6PM.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – The University of Tampa men’s soccer team faced a weather-delayed opener, and was defeated by No. 24 West Florida by a 3-0 score.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: No. 24 West Florida 3, Tampa 0

Records: Tampa 0-1, West Florida 1-0

Location: Publix Sports Park | Panama City, Fla.

All-time series: The Spartans hold a 13-7-4 edge in the all-time series, marking the seventh consecutive season-opening matchup between the South Region opponents. The Argonauts have taken three straight over the Spartans.

Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF: The lone goal of the opening 45 minutes occurred in the 10th minute as UWF’s Josiah Fontenot netted the eventual game-winner from Caue Novaes. Tampa outshot the Argos in the half by a 5-1 margin, including a shot on goal for each team. Score: 1-0 West Florida

SECOND HALF: UWF struck for a pair of second-half goals, coming in the 56th and 82nd minutes. The Argonauts tallied 10 shots in the period as the Spartans were active with five of their own. Final: 2-1 Catawba

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Travis Foster led the Spartans with four of the team’s 10 shots, as he also registered one on target.
• Tim Krafft added a pair of shots as Nico Gamio accounted for the other shot on goal for Tampa.
• Starting at goalkeeper for Tampa was Agustin Lombardo, who came away with three saves.

UP NEXT: Tampa continues its road trip, facing No. 8 Auburn-Montgomery on Saturday at 6 p.m.

SALISBURY, N.C.. – The University of Tampa women’s soccer team held a lead over No. 21 Catawba University at the break, as the Chiefs netted a pair of second-half goals to register the comeback victory.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Catawba 2, Tampa 1

Records: Tampa 0-1, Catawba 1-0

Location: Frock Field || Salisbury, N.C.

All-time series: Tampa holds a 2-1 lead in the all-time series. Thursday’s matchup was the first meeting since the 1999 season for the Division II opponents.

Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF: The Spartans controlled for the majority of the half, outshooting the Chiefs by a 5-4 margin. Katherine Hostage scored the first goal of the season for UT, finding the net in the fifth minute on a cross from Madison McElhone. The Spartan goal would register as the lone shot on target in the opening half. Score: 1-0 Tampa

SECOND HALF:  The Chiefs came out firing in the final 45 minutes, outshooting the Spartans 7-2 in the second. It took just 36-seconds for Hannah Dunn to even the score at 1-1. The game would stay tied at 1-1 until Catawba buried the eventual game-winner with just under 10-minutes to play in regulation, with Sydney Jimmo scoring for the Chiefs. Hostage registered a shot with three minutes to play, followed by an unsuccessful corner kick for the Spartans. Final: 2-1 Catawba

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Hostage, the leading scorer for Tampa in 2021, accounted for the lone goal of the game for the Spartans.
• Hostage would also lead all Spartans with three shots.
• Catawba outshot Tampa 11-7, including a 3-1 edge in shots on goal.
• Sophomore Megan Hessel started in goal for Tampa, finishing with one save.
• Playing all 90 minutes for UT were Sofia Karlholm, Quinn Knapp, Jackie Morris, Gabby Desautels and Hannah Kirkpatrick.

UP NEXT: The Spartans are back in action on Saturday at noon as they meet Chowan in a neutral site matchup at Catawba.

MELBOURNE, Fla. –  The University of Tampa has been voted No. 1 in the 2022 Sunshine State Conference women’s cross country coaches preseason poll. The Spartans are expected to lift the league championship trophy for the 17th year after receiving 34 points and four first-place votes in the ranking.

Saint Leo University narrowly lands in second place with 32 points and the final three first-place votes. Florida Southern College ranks third in the preseason ranking with 26 points, while Palm Beach Atlantic University occupies the middle of the poll with 16 points. Lynn University (15 points), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (12 points), and Nova Southeastern University (12 points) round out the ranking.

Last season, Saint Leo edged Tampa, 50 to 52, to capture its third SSC Women’s Cross Country Championship and first since 2016. Finishing the 6,000-meter race with a time of 21:27.67, Zoe Jarvis became the first Spartan to repeat as conference champion since 2005. Faye Dervan, Paige Patterson, and Tania Jarreau of Saint Leo finished second, third, and fourth, respectively. Tampa’s Anna Sentner rounded out the Top-5. Florida Southern took third place with three finishers in the top 15.

Embry-Riddle will host the 2022 SSC Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 5th, in Daytona Beach. NCAA Division II regional competition will take place on Saturday, November 19th. The women’s national championship will be held at Chamber’s Bay in University Place, Washington, on Saturday, December 3rd.

Below are the full results of the 2022 SSC preseason coaches’ poll. Coaches cannot vote for their teams (points: 6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses).

2022 SSC WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Previous SSC Women’s Cross Country Polls

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Sunshine State Conference men’s cross country coaches name Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as the preseason favorite in 2022, tabbing the University of Tampa third. The Eagles are expected to win a third straight SSC title after receiving 33 points and five first-place votes in the ranking.

Saint Leo University places second in the voting with 31 points and the final two first-place votes. The Lions look to hoist their first trophy since 2019. The University of Tampa lands in third with 26 points, while Florida Southern College takes up the middle of the poll with 24 points. Lynn University (12 points), Palm Beach Atlantic University (12 points), and Nova Southeastern University (9 points) occupy the final three positions in the slate.

Last season, Embry-Riddle finished with 46 team points to capture the program’s third SSC championship, the second consecutive. Three Eagle runners finished Top-10, with Ryan Szklany finishing a team-best third-place. Saint Leo placed second with 50 points and three Top-5 finishers, while Florida Southern came in third with 55 points thanks to three runners within the Top-8. FSC’s Mason Jones repeated as the SSC Cross Country Individual Champion by finishing the 8,000-meter race with a time of 24:25.79.

Embry-Riddle will host the 2022 SSC Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 5th, in Daytona Beach. NCAA Division II regional competition will take place on Saturday, November 19th. The men’s national championship will be held at Chamber’s Bay in University Place, Washington, on Friday, December 2nd.

Below are the full results of the 2022 SSC preseason coaches’ poll. Coaches cannot vote for their teams (points: 6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses).

2022 SSC MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Previous SSC Men’s Cross Country Polls