PENSACOLA, Fla. – West Florida's season-opener against Tampa was a prime example of a defensive battle. The teams combined for only 12 shots and just seven of those went on target, in what turned into a 3-1 loss for UWF in a matchup of two of the South Region's strongest programs.
 
UWF and Tampa each just tallied two shots in the first 21 minutes, before the Spartans knocked in an own goal that gave West Florida a 1-0 lead that the Argonauts took into the half.
 
Argo newcomer Ed Chappe led the UWF offensive attack with two shots, including one that required a diving save from Tampa keeper Richard Trench in the 14th minute.
 
While Tampa scored three times in the second half, the Argonaut defense limited the Spartan attack to just those three shots on goal, which did not come until the 71st minute. A goal from Zack Soufl evened the score in the 71st, a connection from Ramzi Toure to Juancho Fernandez gave Tampa the lead in the 76th minute, and a 35-yard chip from UT's Marcel Salokat finished off the scoring in the 84th minute.
 
Kameron Bethell and Rafael Gadoi also each had one shot in the loss.
 
UWF will host Flagler at the UWF Soccer Complex on Monday afternoon, with a 12:30 pm kickoff.