MELBOURNE, Fla. - History will repeat itself this Sunday afternoon at the NSU Soccer Complex, as the SSC Digital Network airs the matchup between No. 6 seed Florida Tech and No. 5 seed Tampa. The last time these two teams faced each other in the conference finals was back in 2010, where the game was held on the campus of Nova Southeastern. 

Heading into tomorrow's match, each team comes in after beating a higher seeded opponent in the SSC Tournament. Florida Tech is entering the finals fresh off two upsets over No. 3 Florida Southern in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Barry in last night's conference semifinals. Tampa heads into the afternoon match after topping No. 4 seed Eckerd on Tuesday in quarterfinal play and No. 1 seed Nova in the semifinals. 

This match will mark the second Sunshine State Conference Final in program history for the Panthers, with the only other time being against the Spartans in 2010. That year, an overtime gala saw Tampa walk away with the win after a goal was scored in the 98 minute of play. However, both teams ended up advancing to regional play, where the teams met again in the second round of the South Regional Tournament and tied 1-1 in double overtime. 

Currently, Tampa holds a 1-0 edge over FIT after beating the Melbourne squad 1-0 on home turf during Senior Night. The match was tied 0-0, when at the 38-minute mark the Spartans pulled out the go-ahead goal. However, Florida Tech looks to avenge the regular season loss tomorrow afternoon.
Stepping up as one of the offensive key players in the SSC Championship, Taylor Eller recorded her second and third game-winning goal during postseason play. With her performance, the Melbourne product now ranks second in the SSC for game-winning goals. The red-shirt junior currently counts seven of her eight shots on goal. Among the Panthers lineup, Eller holds the highest shooting percentage (.500), as well as a team-best shots on goal percentage (.875).

Defensively in the postseason, Karlyn Prisco has continued to prove herself as a seasoned veteran inside the Panthers lineup. The red-shirt senior goalkeeper has shown much talent this year, coming out of the goalmouth to cut down the angle for attackers. Additionally, the Rockledge native has tallied nine saves and one shutout to date, and ranks first on the Sunshine State Conference leader board for total shutouts with seven.

As a team, the Spartans rank second inside the SSC for goals allowed with 13, and has held their opponents scoreless during the conference tournament.

Against Tampa, Florida Tech will need to provide similar pressure like in the Barry match, establishing an early dominance inside the six on corner kicks. Additionally, if the Panthers can create three-on-one or three-on-two breaks, it will allow their playmakers to get out upfront with opportunities to score early on.

Overall, Florida Tech is a well-balanced and fundamentally sound squad that is well coached. Tampa will need to find a way to hinder FIT's offensive threats, and try to penetrate through a tough back line with good ball delivery. 

The teams are set lineup tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. ET!

For more information, visit FloridaTechSports.com!