Preps

Facing No. 1, UT has new look, confidence

By DAVID NORRIE, Times Correspondent
Published November 29, 2007

TAMPA - For the University of Tampa, a new coach hopes to bring new success.

The Spartans women's soccer team is in the Division II semifinals today against Grand Valley State, which knocked them out in the same round last year.

Bobby Johnston, the program's all-time winningest coach, stepped down in the offseason to coach at his alma mater, James Madison. His former assistant, Gerry Lucey, returned and has Tampa on the brink of unprecedented success.

Grand Valley has held the No. 1 ranking since Sept. 5. Tampa is 14th. Stiff competition is all the better, says junior striker Shelby Kuni.

"When it comes to the rankings, it's hard to ignore," Kuni said. "We're heading into a tournament with two teams which haven't lost all season and neither probably gives us a great deal of hope. But we have nothing to lose. I think we're going in with a lot of confidence, expecting to win."

Tampa's offense has struggled at times, forcing the team to rely more on goalie Shannon Aitken and the defense.

Kuni set the UT and SSC records for goals in a season, with 26 in 2006. This season, she is being double- and sometimes triple-teamed, forcing her to be more patient. But having Aitken in net provides a confidence boost.

"When you have a talent like (Aitken) it allows offensive players to play with a lot more freedom and more relaxed," Lucey said. "They're not as worried about the other team scoring and they know she is not going to give up a sloppy goal or one between the legs."

Fast facts

NCAA Division II Final Four

Host: West Florida Orange Beach Sports Complex, Orange Beach, Ala.

Semifinal: No. 1 Grand Valley State (22-0-1) vs. Tampa (18-2-3), 3 p.m. today; No. 2 Seattle Pacific (23-0) vs. Franklin Pierce (17-1-5), 5 p.m.

Championship game: noon Saturday.

[Last modified November 29, 2007, 14:22:15]