Box Score LAKELAND – Florida Southern's best shot Wednesday night may not have been a shot at all, but give all the credit to Carl Spansk anyway. The sophomore defender curled in a corner kick late in the first half and was part of another standout effort by the Moccasin back line as Florida Southern downed Tampa 1-0 at Barnett Field.
The way the Florida Southern defense had been playing in its previous two games, a shutout wasn't surprising, but the way the Mocs scored certainly was. A first half that went back-and-forth with scoring chances for both teams eventually saw a goal scored in unconventional fashion, with the Spansk twins in the middle of the action. It was a deflected shot by Edward Spansk that led to the Florida Southern goal in the first place, with Carl then taking the corner kick from the left side of the field. The ball made its way through a host of attackers and defenders alike before finally bouncing off the bottom of the cross bar at the far post and into the net.
The stunned Spartans could only watch as Spansk celebrated his first career goal before resuming his duties at left back where he helped the Moccasins complete their first shutout of the season. It was also the first time this season the Spartans had been held without a goal.
After each team took nine shots in the first half, the Moccasins (2-6, 1-2 Sunshine State Conference) had the better of it in the second half with an 8-4 margin. The Spartans (5-4, 2-1) had their share of chances, but the quartet of Spansk, Kevin Davidsson, Luke Bromley and Daniel Moore was up to the task, and junior goalkeeper Cole Clingerman put together a spectacular effort when called upon. In fact, it was Clingerman's save on a rocket by Fredinho Mompremier with 10 seconds remaining that allowed Florida Southern to secure its first conference win of 2015, while handing Tampa its first conference loss.
Clingerman was also on point for a couple of dangerous loose balls inside the box in the second half, and grabbed an attempted pass by Troy Tucker that could have easily led to a goal. Clingerman had saved the ball from going over the end line when it had deflected off a defender for a would-be corner kick, but Tucker tracked it down and tried to send it back into the center of the box. He wasn't quick enough to get it past the Moccasin goalkeeper though, who snatched it out of the air.
Bromley also made a critical stop on a long run into the box earlier in the second half, and during a tense situation in the first half, Carl Spansk blocked a shot by Nikolai Hammer that kept the game scoreless at that point in the proceedings. Perhaps the most impressive defensive play was made by sophomore midfielder Romain Voirin, who tracked down Chris Campbell after the Tampa midfielder had sprinted down the middle of the field on a counterattack with room to shoot. Instead the play was broken up nicely by Voirin just outside the box.
The Florida Southern defense nearly contributed to another goal too late in the first half, but were denied by Tampa goalkeeper Christian Knight who was able to push a header by Moore over the crossbar at close range. That play was set up by another Carl Spansk corner kick, with Bromley's initial header leading to Moore's attempt.
At the end of the night, Clingerman had made five saves for Florida Southern, and Knight had six for Tampa. Clingerman's best save may have been his second one in the game when he dove to his right to knock away a free kick by Keith Francisco.
Florida Southern will be on the road for its next match on Saturday night in Miami Shores where it face #20 Barry at 7 p.m.
