Tampa's run in the NCAA division II women's soccer tournament ended Saturday in the round of 16 with a 4-3 loss to Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) 4-3 in penalty kicks after a tie at 1 in regulation.
As the case had been most of the year, UT could not take advantage of scoring opportunities. The Spartans had one goal on 38 shots, a blast by forward Katie Calvin at 9:12. Four other shots in the first 20 minutes hit the crossbars. Lincoln Memorial tied the score just before the half and neither team was able to put the ball in the net after the break, forcing penalty kicks to decide the outcome.
The Spartans (13-4-2) completed their best season, capturing their first Sunshine State Conference title in women's soccer and their first NCAA Tournament win, 4-1 over Harding (Ark.) University on Thursday. Among the positives Tampa takes into the off-season is knowing most of this year's young squad returns, one which should benefit from this season's playoff experience.
"It was tough to lose they way we did, but we are very excited about the future of the program," UT coach Bobby Johnston said. "Every year we have tried to take the program one step further and we've done that. There is a great nucleus of young players here with great attitudes and hopefully we will build upon that and go in the right direction."
Tampa started seven underclassmen for most of the year and loses only four players to graduation. With one of the SSC's leading defenses intact, Johnston plans to recruit offensive talent.
"We're lacking someone who can consistently put the ball in the back of the net," he said. "With the players we have returning, we can continue to create scoring chances and I believe I can find one or two special players who have nose for the goal."
VOLLEYBALL: In what was supposed to be a rebuilding season, coach Chris Catanach has to be pleased with a No.3 seed in Thursday's NCAA South Region Tournament.
The Spartans (24-5, 14-2 SSC), winners in 16 of their past 18, travel to Miami Shores to face No.6 seed Florida Gulf Coast, a team they beat in three games earlier this season. Barry (28-1, 16-0 SSC), who handed UT its only two conference losses, hosts the tournament and is the top seed. North Florida (16-5), which also beat the Spartans twice this year, is No.2.
If Tampa wins Thursday it would face the North Florida-Presbyterian winner at 5 p.m. Friday.
CROSS COUNTRY: Two-time SSC runner of the year Allison Macsas leads the women into this weekend's NCAA national meet in Evansville, Ind.
Macsas was one of four UT runners named to the All-South Region team after the Spartans won the region championship Nov.6 in Memphis, Tenn. The women topped a 22-team field and were led by Macsas (21:32), who was fourth in the 6K race.
Dee Dee Haefling (sixth in 21:49), Erin Wilson (ninth, 22:01) and Elizabeth Bragg (12th, 22:18) were the other All-Region performers.
