Colleges: Four locals among signees for University of Tampa women

Four players from Pinellas County are in the University of Tampa Women’s incoming class for 2010 as the school unveiled the players it had signed on Monday evening.

Palm Harbor’s Ashlin Cook and Shannon Walisch and Seminole’s Megan Lawrence and Casey Merson all signed with the Spartans last week.

Spartans coach Gerry Lucey said in a press release that he was very happy with the caliber of player he was bringing into the program. All four local players will compete for their respective schools this week at the FHSAA Girl’s Soccer State Final Four at the University of Tampa’s Pepin Stadium

“I am really happy and excited to announce these NLI signees as part of our 2010 class,” Lucey said. “We have in addition three other incoming players (enrolled in the spring of 2010) that will help push our program forward and back into the national spotlight. I am delighted that we have secured their commitment and look forward to working with them this fall. We have an exciting future ahead of us and I hope that we can fulfill our own expectations. We will have great depth and individual talent again and should compete once more for conference, regional and national titles.”

The full class can be found here.

Colleges: Spartans can't hold lead against No.9 Rollins

Jazmin Perry and Courtney Peffley gave the University of Tampa an early lead, but the Spartans were unable to maintain their momentum as No.9 Rollins rallied for a 3-2 victory at Cahall-Sandspur Field on Wednesday night.

Perry gave the Spartans the lead in the 16th minute, scoring after Saige Steinmetz’s free kick into the penalty area wasn’t cleared by the Tars defense.

Peffley doubled the lead six minute later, capitalizing on more poor defensive play by Rollins to score her first goal for the Spartans.

"The girl’s played an excellent game again tonight,” Spartans coach Gerry Lucey said. “We were sharp, moved the ball quickly and intelligently.”

Rollins pulled a goal back before halftime, as Joy Powell’s pass found Mellissa Doerk on the right, and Doerk fired her shot into the left corner of the net in the 30th minute.

The game tightened at the beginning of the second half. Tampa’s Brittan Spence forced a save from Rolllins’ goalkeeper Michelle Dillingham, but Rollins tied the game in the 72nd minute as Charlotte Murrell headed home from Ashley Waplinger’s corner.

Rollins then found a game-winner five minutes later as Leah Hirsh’s drive from outside the penalty area gave the Tars victory.

Despite the loss, Lucey was pleased with his young side’s performance.

“We have outshot Rollins 10-8 and given them a fright,” Lucey said. “The team knows how happy I am with their performances and attitude and we just need to be able to finish games out. The future is very bright for these young and talented players."

College Women's Matchday: Tampa at Nova Southeastern

WHEN: Friday, 6 p.m., NSU Soccer Complex

NEED TO KNOW: After completing an arduous non-conference schedule with a 1-0 win against Georgia College and State, the Spartans open Sunshine State Conference play against a Nova Southeastern team that enters the game on a three-game losing streak.

Included in that run are two conference losses, to Lynn and Florida Southern, and defeat in the Sharks’ last game against West Florida. Nova Southeastern last won on Sept. 16 with a 3-0 victory against Palm Beach Atlantic.

The young Spartans have had an up-and-down season so far, maybe best evidenced in their 4-2 loss to Armstrong Atlantic. There, Tampa took a 2-0 lead within the first six minutes, but were unable to hold off the Pirates, who rallied to take the lead before halftime. Coach Gerry Lucey will likely be looking for the more controlled game the Spartans played against GCAS, where they dominated shots on goal 17-7, and goalkeeper Saige Steinmetz had to make only two saves for her second shutout of the season.

College Women's Matchday: Tampa at No.19 Armstrong Atlantic

WHEN: Friday, 5 p.m., AT&T Field

NEED TO KNOW: The Spartans embark on their final non-conference trip of the season and face host Armstrong Atlantic in their third straight game against a ranked opponent.

The Pirates are ranked No.19 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division II poll thanks to a 5-12 record, and enter the game on a five-game undefeated streak. Kristin Burton had a career game in their last outing, a 7-2 thrashing of Clayton State, as she scored five of the Pirates seven goals.

The Spartans lost both games against No.8 Carson-Newman and No.6 Columbus State last weekend, but Coach Gerry Lucey has been pleased with the progress his young squad has shown. Tampa also faces Georgia College and State on Sunday before opening its Sunshine State Conference schedule against Nova Southeastern next Friday.