TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Alabama in Huntsville women's soccer program earned a statement road victory Thursday night, knocking off No. 15 Tampa 1-0 at Pepin Stadium. Adriana Rojas provided the lone goal of the contest, while CeCe Szopa and the Charger defense kept the nationally ranked Spartans off the scoreboard to improve UAH to 2-1 on the season.
Tampa controlled more of the early possession and held a 7-5 advantage in shots during the opening half, but UAH created the chance that mattered most. After entering as a substitute in the 30th minute, Rojas broke the scoreless tie in the 38th minute, finishing a setup from Cara Tortelli to give the Chargers a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
The Spartans increased the pressure after the break, putting four of their five second-half shots on goal. Szopa answered every challenge, making saves in the 52nd, 56th, 63rd and 69th minutes as UAH protected its one-goal advantage. The Chargers still generated chances of their own, including a late effort from Kaitlyn Lewis that forced a Tampa save in the 88th minute.
Szopa finished with five saves to record her second clean sheet of the season. Tampa held a 12-9 advantage in total shots and put five attempts on target compared to three for UAH, but the Chargers' defense made Rojas' first-half goal stand for the full 90 minutes.
UAH returns to action Saturday morning with another road test, facing Embry-Riddle at 11 a.m.
