Tommaso Casadei scored at 88:45 to give Florida Tech a 2-1 victory over the University of Tampa men’s soccer team Wednesday night at Pepin Stadium. The game-winning goal came with 1:15 remaining after Tampa had taken a first-half lead. Tampa finished 4-5-3 overall and 3-3-1 in Sunshine State Conference play, while Florida Tech finished 7-3-3 overall and 5-1-1 in the conference.
Tampa Takes Early Lead
Florida Tech generated early pressure and earned a corner kick in the fifth minute before Alex Hare saved Kacper Gosciniarek’s attempt at 6:21. Tampa opened the scoring on its first shot of the match when Mason Clark scored at 16:49 off an assist from Taka Onoguchi. The goal was Clark’s fourth of the season and gave Tampa a 1-0 advantage.
Clark tested Florida Tech goalkeeper Elias Ronning Orn again in the 20th minute, but Orn made the save. Robin Vandoorne sent a shot wide in the 24th minute as Tampa looked for a second goal. Tampa carried the lead into halftime despite Florida Tech holding an 8-3 advantage in first-half shots and a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
Florida Tech Scores Twice After Halftime
Tampa opened the second half with attempts from Clark, William Waters and Tommaso Polidori during the first six minutes, but each shot went over the goal. Florida Tech equalized at 55:47 when Marius Brandmayr scored off an assist from Casadei. The goal erased Tampa’s early advantage.
Kosi Mafela put an attempt on goal in the 71st minute, but Orn made the save. Clark sent another shot over the goal in the 80th minute, and Vandoorne’s attempt went wide at 87:06. Casadei then scored at 88:45 off an assist from Nikolai Brokhaug Gabrielsen, giving Florida Tech its first lead with 1:15 remaining.
Casadei finished with one goal and one assist on his only shot of the match. Brandmayr had three shots and one goal for Florida Tech, while Orn finished with two saves. Hare played all 90 minutes for Tampa and made one save.
Statistical Breakdown
Florida Tech held a 12-9 advantage in total shots, with both teams placing three shots on goal. Tampa outshot Florida Tech 6-4 in the second half after the Panthers held a 8-3 edge in the opening half. Florida Tech also led 8-2 in corner kicks.
Tampa committed four fouls to Florida Tech’s five and was called offside twice, while Florida Tech was not called offside. Clark led Tampa with four shots, including two on target, while Vandoorne recorded two shots and Mafela put his only attempt on goal. The match drew 317 fans to Pepin Stadium.
What Comes Next
Tampa travels to Lynn on Saturday, Oct. 17, for a Sunshine State Conference matchup in Boca Raton, Fla. Opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. The match will be Tampa’s next opportunity to add to its conference record.
FSB Take
Tampa held a 1-0 lead into halftime, but Florida Tech scored twice after the break to win at Pepin Stadium. Casadei’s goal in the final two minutes settled a match in which the Panthers held advantages in total shots and corner kicks.
Source: Original report