Cruasders Comeback Comes Up Short vs Tampa Bay

ORLANDO, FL - After being shut out in the first half, the Central Florida Crusaders mounted a second-half comeback to bring the game within one, ultimately falling 8-6 to the Tampa Bay Strikers. 

Kate Hostage, Tesa McKibben and Kiley Williams got the Strikers out to a 5-0 lead before the Crusaders would mount their comeback.

After Crusaders starting goalkeeper Michelle Melo came off the pitch injured, midfielder Bridget Callahan stepped into goal and helped orchestrate the comeback. 

Alivia Gonzalez got things started late in the 3rd quarter and then kept it going in the 4th, on her way to a four-goal evening. Jordan Rowan added her first Crusaders tally, and Yvonne Hayes scored her third of the season.

McKibben would add two more to her total late in the game, then, with just one minute to go, Williams would put the game away for the Strikers. 

The Crusaders will now play their first road game of the season, taking on the Tampa Bay Strikers in Tampa on Sunday, February 26th. 

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