BOCA RATON — The UT men’s soccer team earned their first NCAA playoff berth since 2001 with a 4-2 victory over 10th-ranked Lynn on Sunday afternoon in the SSC championship match.
Ricardo Cardoso put the Spartans up 1-0 in the 13th minute and added another goal in the 34th.
Lynn answered with a goal from Sam Craven in the 53rd minute, but Dan Ingvarsson put Tampa ahead 3-1 with a goal in the 66th minute.
The Fighting Knights pulled within one again in the 68th minute, but Kevin Sierra put the game away with a goal off of a cross in the 73rd.
Lynn entered the match ranked 10th and with only one loss on their record, which was a 4-2 loss in Tampa on Sept. 29. — Peter Arrabal, Sports editor.
TAMPA — The women’s soccer won the the Sunshine State Conference Championship for the third year in a row. With no score in regulation time, the lady Spartans took control in overtime, beating their season rival St. Leo 1-0.
The winning goal was shot by Marissa Mohammed within the first two minutes of overtime. Assisting her was Shelby Kuni, who was named MVP of the SSC Tournament.
“We had to get them back for the last time they beat us here on our home field,” said Marissa Mohammed. “It feels good to be champions three years in a row.”
The intensity of the game was shown at the start by both teams. In the first half, Kuni came very close for a Spartan goal but was denied by the crossbar.
A number of yellow cards were issued to both teams, two to each side. The aggressive teams battled until the end, giving a great performance.
“It always a fight against that team,” said coach Gerry Lucey. “It was well deserved. We’ve got a week to prepare for next game and we’ll be ready.”
Tampa’s victory over St. Leo awards them home field going in to he NCAA South Regional Tournament next weekend.
–Harry Haas, Sports writer.