Spartan Women Advance

TAMPA - The University of Tampa women's soccer team maintained ball control and waited for Quachita Baptist's offense to run out of steam and it was clear by the second half that had happened. The Spartans' ball control offense eventually resulted in a goal as UT (17-2-2) advanced to the NCAA II South Regional final with a 1-0 win Sunday.

"Quachita's ploy is to play a long-ball game and it is a difficult style to play against," Spartans coach Gerry Lucey said. "But we were prepared for it and the girls obviously persevered."

The Spartans relied on their possession style of play and managed to keep the ball on Quachita's side of the field for the bulk of the second half.

"We knew once we got through the first half that the Tigers would run out of steam and couldn't keep the pressure up," Lucey said. "The second half we knew it was just a matter of time."

It was 30 minutes into the second half before the Spartans gained advantage on the scoreboard, when Alison Penland shot low along the ground to the right of Quachita keeper Taylor Jordan. The shot was set up by a knock-back pass by Shelby Kuni.

"I saw the back post open and it was on my left foot so I kicked it in," Penland said. "We knew we had to shoot more in the second half if we were going to get the ball in the back of the net."

UT goalkeeper Shannon Aitken posted her 12th shutout of the season, making one save.

The Spartans will face Montevallo on Friday in the South Region finals.

Jarrett Guthrie

Saint Leo Eliminated by Montevallo

ST. LEO - For the second consecutive year, Saint Leo failed to reach the South Regional final, falling this time to sixth-seeded Montevallo 2-1 in double overtime at University Field.

South Region Player of the Year Stacey Balaam scored the game-winner on a penalty kick, given after a Lions' foul inside the box. Balaam's shot went right, while Saint Leo goalkeeper Lauren Hudson went left.

The second-seeded Lions (15-5) led 1-0 for 82 minutes of regulation, thanks to an early header by Jennifer O'Connor. But Montevallo dominated the second half, outshooting the Lions 12-2.

Bart O'Connell

UT Men Eliminated After Shootout

PENSACOLA - The University of Tampa men (12-3-1) were knocked out of the Division II tournament after losing 6-5 in a penalty shootout to Montevallo (14-3-2) in the South Regional final after the teams played to a 1-1 tie.

The Spartans held a 1-0 lead late after Ricardo Cardoso scored in the 10th minute, but Montevallo tied the game with seven minutes to play on a goal by Milan Pualic.

Montevallo's Griff Gowers scored the decisive goal in the shootout after a Tampa miss.

Bishop Leads Gators To SEC Tourney Title

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - Tournament MVP Stacy Bishop of Land O' Lakes had a goal and three assists to lead the University of Florida women to a 4-1 victory against Georgia in the final of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

It was the eighth SEC tournament title for the Gators (16-4-2, 9-2).

Georgia fell to 17-3-2, 8-1-2.