TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa women’s soccer team fought to the finish against West Alabama, ultimately the Tigers secured the victory with two goals from TeMia Pride.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: West Alabama 3, Tampa 2

Records: University of Tampa Spartans (0-1) vs. University of West Alabama Tigers (1-0)

Location: Pepin Stadium || Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: This was only the second meeting between the two programs. In Tampa’s opening game last season, the contest finished in a 4-4 triller. Emily Cady scored twice in the contest for UT.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half | The Tigers tallied the first shot of the game, however the attempt went wide of the goal. TeMia Pride, a 2018 D2CCA All-South First Team Selection, netted the first goal of the year for West Alabama in the 15th minute. On a free kick, from the top of the box, Abigail Clinton guided Pride toward the net with a ground-ball. Pride, a senior forward, slipped the ball past the keeper to take the lead. West Alabama’s other All-Region returner, Anele Komani, extended the lead in the 24th minute. Komani, a native of London, England, sent a laser off the cross bar and the ball trickled into net for her first goal of the year. The Tigers led by two goals, but the lead was cut in half by Tampa’s Moeko Morse. Morse, Sunshine State Conference’s Freshman of the Year in 2018, was led into the box by Quinn Knapp. The sophomore curved a phenomenal shot, which grazed the bottom of the cross box, into the back of the net. || UWA, 2-1 

2nd Half | After a back-and-forth beginning to the half, the Tigers’ Bailee Martin laced a through-ball into the box which led Pride inside the 18′. UWA’s record-setter for goals in a season, Pride, registered her second goal of the evening. Tampa’s senior mid-fielder, Libby Wissman, ripped a goal into the right side of the net to close the gap. However, the goal was scored in the 88th minute as time was winding down. The Spartans had one more attempt on goal as freshman Jalyssa Richardson‘s shot ran wide of the net. || UWA, 3-2

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Tampa out-shot West Alabama by a slim margin, 15-12.
• Moeko Morse tallied six goals in her freshman campaign.
• In 2018, TeMia Pride logged multiple goals in five different contests. Last year, Pride totaled 18 goals which set the school’s single season record. 
• UWA logged two yellow cards in the match: Anele Komani – 9th minute || Aliya Seebrat – 67th minute

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will return home this weekend for a matchup against Mississippi College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, September 8.

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