After a frustrating loss at the hands of Barry University on Sept. 26, the Tampa women’s soccer team showed no mercy in a dominating performance against Eckerd.
The Spartans took the lead in the 11th minute of the game and never looked back. The offensive assault, led by Junior Brittan Spence, tallied 31 shots, 16 of which were on goal, and pounded the ball into the back of the net, making a statement that was geared more toward building belief in their team than silencing their critics.
“We wanted to prove to ourselves and to everyone else in our conference, that we are better than that,” said freshman Carolyn Simon. “We needed to come out and really be strong and show each other what we could do for each other.”
The Spartans certainly made a statement against a 1-9 Eckerd team that only managed two shots in 90 minutes of play.
With a high scoring offense, a stingy defense and a dominating display of possession, the Spartans showed glimmers of brilliance and, as Simon believes, signs that the team is beginning to blend.
“I think the more games we play, the more comfortable we get, the more we kind of understand each different person,” said Simon.
Tuesday, Oct. 5, the Spartans faced another tough conference opponent, Florida Southern. Head coach Gerry Lucey said before the game that he wanted to make sure the girls were aware of the dangers of this opponent.
He focused on making sure the girls kept their shape on the field so that the offense and defense would be in sync.
“One of the reasons we gave up a couple goals against Barry was because of our discipline in maintaining possession of the ball and also dropping back into our shape once possession was lost,” Coach Lucey said.
“So giving up those goals basically because we didn’t have the discipline to keep our shape was disappointing.”
The Spartans were defeated by the Florida Southern Mocs 2-1. FSC outshot UT by a total of 10-4, which five of those shots being on goal.
Andrea Arnore scored the loan goal for the Spartans, assisted on the play by Samantha Kay. UT fell to 7-3 on the season with a conference record of 2-2. The Mocs improved their overall record to 6-3.
While the Spartans have the leadership of their coach and captains to guide them, perhaps the freshman class has made the biggest impact for the team this year.
“I think all of the freshmen have surprised a lot of us,” said Junior forward Jazmin Perry.
Out of the 27 players on the team, thirteen are freshman.
As of Oct. 4, seven freshmen had started for the Spartans and all of them had played in at least one game. They have accounted for seven of the team’s 23 goals, and a freshman goalkeeper, Leah Cesanek, has only allowed eight goals out of fifty shots against her.
“I think Leah, as a goalie, being a freshman goalie, stood out the most for us because we’ve really been needing a good goalie that’s been willing to go out there and work hard, and she’s been doing a really great job,” Perry said in praise of her keeper.
Both Captain Luana Miessa and Coach Lucey also gave credit to Alyson Gregorowicz, a left-side defender.
“I would say our most productive freshman to date would be Alyson Gregorowicz, which started and played every game from the left full-back position. She’s naturally a left-footed, left-sided player and gives us a bit of dimension coming down the left side,” said Coach Lucey. “She’s come in here and been very good during the [first] nine games.”
The rest of the season will be a test for these thirteen freshmen, but their development could be the key to success for the entire Spartan team.
They have seven games, including two tough conference opponents in Nova and Florida Tech within the next week, to prepare for the Sunshine State Conference Tournament, in which they missed out on last season.
Tampa will take on Nova Southeastern in Pepin Stadium on Friday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.
Davis Fox can be reached at davison.fox@spartans.ut.edu.