MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—For the top-seeded Barry Buccaneers, third time was the charm in the Sunshine State Conference Women's Soccer Tournament, as Barry defeated third-seeded Tampa 2-1 in overtime on Sunday at Buccaneer Field.
Shanice Robe took a throw-in from Aly Picascio the length of the field and beat three Spartan defenders, including keeper Caroline Frykgard, for the game-winner in the first overtime period.
After winning the regular season title for the third straight year, the Bucs won just their second tournament title, and the first since the inaugural tournament in 2003. Barry has a conference record nine regular season titles overall.
The Bucs (13-2-1) grabbed the early lead in the 21st minute. Lavinia Nkomo won the ball in the midfield and passed to Rayah Seckler on the left wing. Seckler sent a pass to Christy Grimshaw in the center of the field where she found herself with space. Grimshaw looped a shot over the head of Frykgard for the initial tally.
Barry held the lead until the 60th minute, when Tampa finally capitalized on one of their eight corner kicks. Miranda Gonzalez served the ball low to her sister Cici Gonzalez, who found herself unmarked at the top of the penalty box. Cici Gonzalez sent a slow roller toward the goal and it found the back of the net.
Paula Forero earned her 13th win with three saves, while Frykgard had five saves for Tampa.
Grimshaw was named the Tournament's most outstanding player. She was joined by teammates Seckler, Robe, Forero and Amber Smith. For Tampa, the Gonzalez sisters both made the squad along with Frykgard and Ali Robinson. Taylor Eller of Florida Tech and Julia Nytorp from Nova Southeastern rounded out the team.
The Bucs clinched an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and will likely host first- and second-round games at Buccaneer Field next weekend. The full list of bids, including host sites and matchups, will be released on the NCAA Tournament Selection Show at 6:30 pm on Monday, Nov. 9 on NCAA.com's video portal.
2015 Sunshine State Conference Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team |
Name | School |
M-Julia Nytorp | Nova Southeastern |
M-Taylor Eller | Florida Tech |
D-Amber Smith | Barry |
D-Ali Robinson | Tampa |
D-Miranda Gonzalez | Tampa |
GK-Caroline Frykgard | Tampa |
GK-Paula Forero | Barry |
F-Shanice Robe | Barry |
M-Rayah Seckler | Barry |
F-Cici Gonzalez | Tampa |
| |
Most Outstanding Player |
M-Christy Grimshaw | Barry |