Trip to Tampa in Store for NCAA Sweet 16 Participant Florida Tech

Panthers to meet Tampa Spartans in South Region Final Friday at 6 p.m.

MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women’s Soccer) – In its first-ever NCAA Tournament South Region Final appearance, the Florida Tech Panthers (10-6-3) will square off against the No. 17 Tampa Spartans (16-5-1) on Friday at 6 p.m. at Pepin Stadium in Tampa.

The winner of the match will represent the region in Sunday’s quarterfinal, scheduled for 12 p.m. at Pepin Stadium. Awaiting one of the Sunshine State Conference schools will be Armstrong Atlantic or Lenoir-Rhyne. The Pirates of Armstrong Atlantic and the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne will battle in the Southeast Region Final prior to the Panthers’ match on Friday at 3 p.m.

As the South Region’s No. 5 seed, Tech began its journey in the NCAA Tournament with a 1-1 draw versus Florida Southern on Nov. 12. It earned a spot in the second round by notching a 3-1 decision in penalty kicks. The Panthers then took on the tall task of playing the South Region’s top seed, Rollins. Despite the Tars playing on their home turf, the Crimson and Gray dealt them a 2-0 defeat. The win was the program’s first over its Central Florida rival since Oct. 25, 2006.

The Spartans return to Tampa following an overtime and a shootout win in Pensacola last weekend. In their first-round match, they dropped North Alabama by a 2-1 score in the first extra period. Two days later, they netted two goals in a 10-minute span of the second half to tie West Florida before winning the penalty kick shootout, 5-4.

In the two meetings between the Panthers and Spartans this season, both matches surpassed the 90-minute mark. Unfortunately for Tech, the Spartans notched a win in both contests. They won 2-1 in double overtime on Oct. 10 and 1-0 in the first overtime of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament Final on Nov. 7.

Tampa, who entered the tournament as the South Region’s No. 3 seed, was chosen to host the South and Southeast Region’s Finals as well as Sunday’s quarterfinal match.

The ticket prices for this weekend’s games are $10 for adults and $6 for students with ID and senior citizens. Children ages five and under will receive free admission. Parking is available in the garage north of the Bob Martinez Sports Center.

For complete coverage of the Panthers’ run in the NCAA Tournament, please visit the Official Home of Florida Tech Athletics, www.floridatechsports.com.