TAMPA, Fla.—The Palm Beach Atlantic University women's soccer team fell by a single goal on the road to the University of Tampa Spartans Saturday night. With the defeat, PBA dropped to 4-3 (1-2 SSC) on the season.
The game developed slowly, as both teams tried to settle into the match early and gain the upper hand.
An initial attempt came 13 minutes in from a header by Tampa that went wide, which was followed up by a chance by the Sailfish. Karina Williams sent a searching shot toward goal in the 24th minute that was cleared off the line by the Tampa defense, a try that turned out to be one of only two real opportunities for PBA in the first half.
Goalkeeper Madison Chiola kept the Spartans off the board with an impressive four saves in the opening period, including back-to-back stops midway into the half.
Just before the half, Kianna Magner placed a header on frame, but her shot was saved as the Sailfish and Spartans went into the break scoreless.
Despite a couple of quality efforts by Palm Beach Atlantic, the team was out-shot 7-2 in the first half.
Early in the second 45 minutes, Carrie Jones notched a pair of shots on goal for PBA as the Sailfish put the pressure on UT. Jones was one of five different Palm Beach Atlantic players to register at least one shot on goal during the contest.
Chiola then came up with another big save on a header from a Tampa corner kick in the 57th minute and two more clutch stops in the 60th as the Spartans continued to hammer shots at the PBA goal.
Eventually, Tampa (3-5, 3-1 SSC) was able to break through with a tally just two minutes later that proved to be all the offense the opposition would need.
For the rest of the competition, the Sailfish created chances that looked promising, but could not find the back of the net.
PBA was extremely efficient with their shots, putting seven of the team's eight attempts on target; however, Palm Beach Atlantic failed to even the score. Tampa placed nine of its 17 tries on net.
The one-goal loss marked the sixth consecutive women's soccer contest to be determined by a single goal.
Chiola ended the match with a season-high eight saves.
The Sailfish now battle Nova Southeastern to cap off their two-game road trip on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale.
