COLUMBUS, Ga. - A pair of goals in a six-minute span lifted eighth-ranked Tampa to a 3-1 win past Anderson in women's soccer action in Columbus State's Collegiate Invitational Friday evening at the Cougars' Walden Soccer Complex.

"Tampa is a solid team and we have to give that to them," said Anderson head coach Samar Azem. "They have a very specific style of play and a discipline behind that. We came out in the first half not sure that we could be successful, which is a big mistake. We have to take from this experience that we must do the things we know need to get done and that we are capable of doing in order to be a consistently successful team. That's when we will get the goal like we did tonight."

The season opener for both teams saw Tampa (1-0), which was coming off an Elite Eight appearance last season, gain the advantage in the 27th minute, as Tampa freshman Jess Frank fed the ball to fellow freshman forward Cici Gonzales, who put a one-timer in the net.

The Spartans went ahead 2-0 with less than two minutes remaining in the opening half by taking advantage of a corner kick. Tampa sophomore Gaby Russo placed the ball inside the box for teammate Jenny Karl, who put the ball into the net.

Gonzales struck again early in the second frame to give the Spartans a 3-0 cushion in the 48th minute, while junior Kathryn Purinton put the Trojans on the board on an unassisted goal with 27:53 left in the contest.

"Chelsea (Hamrick) played a great ball to Jess (Kleinberg) who served a fantastic ball to (Olivia) Scalzitti and she showed courage in the box in order for Kat to finish the chance she did," noted Azem.

Junior Krystal Goss got off a pair of shots, including one on goal, while sophomore Summer Miller, freshman Anna Turner and senior Jessica Kleinberg each tallied a shot in the effort. Junior keeper Kaitlyn Neipp went the distance between the pipes for the Trojans and suffered the loss.

"At the end of the day it's a good experience against a quality opponent and we are formidable about the next direction we need to take. I have to also compliment Kaitlyn on a fantastic effort. The score doesn't reflect how well she did," added Azem.

Anderson will get back on the pitch Sunday, when the Trojans wrap up tourney action by squaring off against Florida Southern at 11 a.m.