MELBOURNE, Fla. - Featured on the SSC Digital Network, the 2015 Semifinals rematch between Florida Tech and Barry will go live tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET.Â
Heading into the tomorrows matchup, the Panthers (8-7-2) look to avenge a 1-0 loss to Barry University (9-2-2) that came towards the end of the regular season. Currently, Florida Tech is entering Friday's match after a dominating 2-1 win over an 8-3-4 Florida Southern squad that ranked third inside the SSC with a 1.86 scoring average. The Buccaneers are coming in off a 7-game win streak and a first round bye in the SSC Tournament.Â
After a shutout win over Rollins College in the 2015 SSC Quarterfinals, FIT entered the semifinals in Miami Shores for a match against an eighth ranked Buccaneer squad. However, that year Florida Tech suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat, as Barry sent a dagger in the 80 minute to walk away with the win and advance to finals play.
Looking to avenge both mishaps, the Panthers must find a way to hinder a Barry offense that ranks second inside the Sunshine State Conference for shots per game with 18.46 and shots on goal average with 8.38. Additionally, BUÂ tallies 79 corner kicks, and has held their opponents to only 56.
Individually, Barry will heavily rely on junior midfielder Christy
Grimshaw and senior midfielder Amanda
Traynor. Currently,
Grimshaw leads both the team and Sunshine State Conference in shots 55, shots per game average (5), and game-winning goals (3). Additionally, she places second inside the SSC leader board for average points per game 1.27 and goals per game average with .545. For
Traynor, she places second for goals with (7), and third for the categories of goals per game average .538, shots 50, and shots per game average 3.85.  Â
To hinder Barry's offensive threats, the Panthers back line and red-shirt senior goalkeeper
Karlyn Prisco will need to play a solid 90 minutes. Defensively,
Prisco is tied for first inside the SSC for total shutouts with six, and sits in third for shutouts per game average with .353.
For the second time this year, Florida Tech will look to penetrate a tough Buccaneer defense that has only allowed 10 goals the entire season, qualifying Barry for the number one spot in goals allowed on the conference leader board.
If the Panthers want to put points on the board, establishing dominance in the attacking third will be a key component in getting the win. In addition, FITÂ will need its playmakers to pose as reluctant offensive threats for the duration of the contest and try to ware out the Buc's back line.
To follow the game live, go to FloridaTechSports.com.