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Tampa makes NCAA soccer final with overtime victory

TAMPA -- Southern Illinois-Edwardsville was more than ready for Tampa as the teams squared off in the NCAA Division II men's semifinals Friday night. The Cougars stymied the Spartan offense for the first 87 minutes.

But the Spartans, who got a goal from Roy Fink with three minutes left and another from Kareem Escayg 13 seconds into overtime, won 2-1 and advanced to the championship match.

Tampa (18-0-2) faces Cal-State Dominguez Hills (14-1-1), which beat Dowling 1-0 in overtime in the other semifinal, at 1 p.m. Sunday at Pepin/Rood Stadium.

"This isn't the first time we had to come from behind," said Fink, whose 18th goal of the season tied it at 1. "They played us really tough. We were really working hard out there, and we just came up with a couple of plays."

SIUE forward David Mwendapole broke through the Tampa zone and ripped a shot past goalkeeper Roy Swarts to take a 1-0 lead nine minutes into the match.

But after Tampa put numerous deep balls into the SIUE zone late in regulation, Fink broke through with the equalizer.

The edge shifted to the Spartans as the teams ended the second half tied at 1. It continued just seconds into the extra period as Escayg swept up the right side a slipped a shot just under Cougars goalie Matt Evers for the winner.

In a women's NCAA Division I quarterfinal, North Carolina beat Penn State 2-1.

NCAA volleyball

Florida's next concern will be conflicts with final exams after receiving its first test of the NCAA Tournament.

The host Gators advanced to the Sweet 16, beating Florida International 30-23, 31-29, 30-26.

Florida plays next weekend during the start of final exams.

"The challenge for our players right now is not just playing in the NCAA Tournament, it's finals, and they don't know when they are going to rearrange their classes," coach Mary Wise said.

The second game may have been a quick study for what is to come for Florida as it was down most of the game.

Wise said blocking won the match.

During the second game, the Gators had a hitting efficiency of .077 with 9 errors and 13 kills.

"They had a strong back row defense who kept digging balls, which made us impatient," Wise said. "It was a great experience for our players because we are not accustomed to playing this kind of defense. This is the kind of defense we will see in later rounds of the tournament."

SEC player of the year Aury Cruz left in the third game after having trouble with her shoulder. The outside hitter injured her shoulder during the SEC tournament. Cruz returned but had ice on both shoulders after the game.

"It hurts when I do unforced movement and after a block my arms went back," Cruz said. "I just feel a little pain, but during the match it's just mental. I'm also starting to get a little sick."

Florida plays Pepperdine, with the location and date announced Monday.

Wise said with many of the top teams in its bracket, Florida likely will not host.

SWIMMING AND DIVING: Florida's Janelle Atkinson was second in the 200-meter freestyle at the U.S. Open in Arkansas. The men's relay team was second in the 400 medley, and the women were fourth. Clearwater's Sarah Close was fourth in the 1- and 3-meter diving events. Zach Wilcox won the 1-meter for the men, and Reggie Coote was second. Sara McLarty and Meredith Green finished seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 400-meter individual medley. Eric Donnelly finished ninth in the 400, and Mike Jansen and Chris Kellam finished 14th and 15th in the 100-meter backstroke.

The Florida State men's and women's teams were second at the Georgia Invitational in Athens. The men (229 points) trailed Minnesota (287) and the women (175) trailed Georgia (244). The women won the 200 freestyle relay, and Nnamnse Ammons was first in the 50-meter freestyle.

TRACK AND FIELD: Florida signed Jennifer Wynn of Douglasville, Ga. Wynn is ranked second nationally among returning senior hammer throwers in high school.

"Jennifer will be a great addition to the great throws crew already in place here at Florida," coach Tom Jones said.

Miami signed Dominique Darden of Harrisburg, Pa. Darden finished first in the 200- (23.97) and 100-meter hurdles (14.51) at the National AAU Junior Olympics in Norfolk, Va. She also qualified for the final of the 400 meters at the USA Junior National Championships, where she finished sixth with a time of 54.79 during the summer.

Darden selected Miami over several schools, including Florida, South Carolina, Arizona State, Baylor and Alabama.

Darden won state indoor titles in the 200 meters (24.15) and 400 meters (54.16), establishing meet records in both events. Her 400-meter time ranked as the third fastest in the nation last season and her 200-meter time ranked sixth.

"Dominique will be a tremendous asset to our program," coach Amy Deem said. "Her versatility will make her a major factor for us in the sprints, hurdles and relays. Her character, hard work and dedication to both academics and track will help strengthen our team next season."

- Times correspondent Debi Jones contributed to this report, which used information from Times wires.

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