Panthers Blank No. 16 Tamps

by Jonathan Hower

September 12, 2012

MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women’s Soccer) – Two days after Florida Tech dropped out of the national rankings, the Panthers responded with a defensive gem by shutting out No. 16 Tampa 1-0 on Wednesday at Rick Stottler Field. Freshman Erika Forsberg scored the game’s only goal in the 68th minute to secure the victory.

Tampa (4-2) entered the game averaging over 25 shots per game and just over five goals per game in its first five matches. On Wednesday, the Panthers (4-1) held the Spartans to just seven shots, four on goal, and nothing to show for on the scoreboard.

“Our defense played really well today,” Forsberg said. “They [Tampa] were not able to develop any dangerous chances.”

FIT’s leading goal scorer registered just one shot in the match and it came in the 68th minute. Forsberg collected a loose ball that came off the goal post on a shot by junior Carly Hunt. The forward gathered the ball and tapped it in for the game’s first and only goal of the afternoon.

The Spartans did finish the game with a 7-6 advantage in shots, and a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks. But Tampa was held scoreless for the first time since Oct. 27, 2011 when Saint Leo blanked the Spartans, 1-0.

“Tampa is certainly a top quality team,” head coach Fidgi Haig said. “It was a good test for us and now that we are about to enter conference play, there will be no easy games. I am glad that our defensive adjustments are working.”

The adjustment has worked since the Panthers gave up five goals to now No. 24 Armstrong Atlantic back on Sept. 7. FIT has given up just one goal in its last 193 minutes of play.

“It was a wake up game,” Forsberg said of the team’s only loss. “We know we needed to play better. We have our first conference game this Saturday and they [Nova Southeastern] are really good so we need to keep it up.”

Junior Paige Redmon (2-0) made her second-straight start in goal for the Panthers. The former forward made four saves on her way to her first career shutout. Redmon has surrendered just one goal in 193:35 minutes of action, and now leads the team with nine saves.

Forsberg leads FIT with five goals and three game winners on the season.

The Panthers and Spartans will meet one more time in the regular season on Oct. 6 in Tampa. The second match will count as a conference match.

FIT goes on the road this Saturday, Sept. 15 when it travels to Nova Southeastern. The Panthers and Sharks are slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.