ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Eckerd broke through in the 89th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Tampa on Wednesday, snapping a two-game losing streak with a crucial regional contest. Sebastian Blanco's late strike, assisted by Robert Thorarinsson, proved decisive in a match that remained scoreless through 88 minutes of play.
The Tritons (3-7-5) controlled possession for stretches but struggled to convert opportunities until the final moments. Tampa (6-4-4) dominated shot attempts with 15 total, including six on goal, but Eckerd's defense held firm when it mattered most. The home side managed just eight shot attempts but capitalized on its most important chance.
Rodrigo Lopes led Tampa's offensive push with multiple attempts throughout the match, including shots that sailed wide and one blocked effort. Luca Bergmann and Felix Poschmann also tested Eckerd's goalkeeper, but the Tritons' backline remained resolute. Eckerd's Marcio Costa and Monty Clark generated chances early before being substituted out at halftime and in the second half, respectively.
The first half featured end-to-end play with both teams earning corner opportunities. Tampa earned seven corners compared to Eckerd's six, reflecting the Spartans' territorial advantage. Yellow cards accumulated throughout, with Jace Henriques, Nico Fischer, and Daniel Freire cautioned for Eckerd, while Cherif Tammar and Jannik Brengel drew cards for Tampa.
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