Rollins Past Tampa

Box score

WINTER PARK, Fla. (October 21, 2009) – After falling into an early 2-0 hole, the ninth-ranked Rollins women’s soccer team rattled off three straight goals to post a 3-2 comeback victory over Tampa, Wednesday evening. 

Mellissa Doerk sparked the comeback with a score in the first half while Charlotte Murrell provided the equalizer and Leah Hirsch nailed the game winner late in the second half.  

Rollins moves to 11-1-2 on the season and stays unbeaten in Sunshine State Conference play at 5-0-1. Tampa drops to 6-9-1 overall and 2-4 in the SSC. The victory also keeps the Tars in the hunt for their second straight regular season conference title with just two matches remaining on the schedule. 

The visiting Spartans came out firing against the Tars staunch defense and took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute behind a goal from Jazmin Perry. Tampa then stunned the Tars five minutes later, taking a 2-0 advantage as Courtney Peffley scooped up a failed Tars clearance and found the back of the net. 

After picking up the pace, Rollins answered in the 30th minute as Joy Powell slotted a pass to Doerk racing up the right side, who beat the keeper to the left for the score. The count remained 2-1 in favor of UT at the half as the Spartans got off seven shots in the period while Rollins was held to just three. 

In the second half, just as the Tars were appearing to be down and out, head coachTony Amato shuffled the lineup and put Murrell, who started in the back line, in a forward position. The move quickly paid dividends in the 72nd minute as Ashley Waplinger sent a perfect corner kick to the near post, right to the head of Murrell for the equalizing goal. Five minutes later Rollins found themselves in a similar situation with Waplinger on a corner kick from the right side. Another high arching ball was cleared by the Tampa defense, but Hirsch was waiting 30 yards out and sent a rocket back on frame and into the net for the game winner. 

Rollins goalkeeper Michelle Dillingham gathered three saves and allowed the two Tampa scores in a winning effort while her counterpart Kendall Bourdon picked up two saves and surrendered to goals for Tampa. 

The Tars will continue their quest for back-to-back SSC titles on Saturday, October 24th at home against Barry. Game time is slated for 4:30 p.m. with senior day activities taking place prior to the start. Fans can catch all the action live on the Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com.