UT To Host Regional Soccer Finals and National Quarterfinals

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 17 University of Tampa women's soccer team (16-5-1) prepares for the NCAA South Regional finals which are scheduled to be held on the Spartans' home turf. In the contest, which is slated for 6 p.m. E.T. at Pepin Stadium, UT will face Sunshine State Conference foe, Florida Tech (10-6-3) for the third time this year.

Tampa leads the all-time series record versus FIT (6-1-4) while already defeating the Panthers twice this season. During the first match in October between the Sunshine State Conference teams, UT squeaked pass in a 2-1 double overtime victory as freshman Carolyn Simon scored a late goal at 103:56 on the clock to give the Spartans the victory. The second meeting with Florida Tech, Tampa took home the SSC tournament championship with another 1-0 overtime win as UT's Brittan Spence scored the game-winning goal to secure the lead.

The contest marks the first ever meeting with FIT in the NCAA South Regional tournament. The last time the SSC tournament champions made it thus far in the South Regional was back in 2007 when Tampa took home the NCAA national championship. Following the championship year, the Spartans lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to West Florida by a 2-0 clip.

Leading Tampa in the match-up is head coach Gerry Lucey as he looks to finish out his fourth season on a magical note.

Helping the Spartans in its eight game winning streak is senior Luana Miessa registering seven goals as teammate Brittan Spence ties the scorer after helping her team capture two game-winners in the post season. Freshman forward Carolyn Simon adds six goals of her own as second team all-SSC Samantha Kay chips in three.

Daktronics second team all-South Region and second team all-SSC nominee Courtney Peffley is at the front of the pack registering a whopping 13 assists on the year and registers a team-high 17 points. Forward Gabby Jolin contributes to the squad with two goals and four assists this season.

UT's defense is controlled in the manner of senior captain Pasquale Anderson and freshman goalkeeper Leah Cesanek. Tampa's keeper has already registered 11 shut-outs this year and secures a 0.74 GAA.

Florida Tech's head coach Fidgi Haig is in his first season with the Panthers and guiding his team is Casey Lademann tallying 15 goals and three assists as Carly Hunt adds with four and two, respectively. In goal for FIT is Mist Eliasdottir accounting for a 0.69 GAA.

Click here for the host web site for the NCAA third and fourth rounds in Tampa. Live stats and webcast information is available through this site.

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