Florida Gators

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The No. 8 University of Florida soccer team suffered its first loss of the 1996 season Sunday when No. 6 Texas A&M defeated the Gators 2-1 in front of a season-high crowd of 1,035 at the Aggie Soccer Complex.  Florida now drops to 5-1 for the season, while the Aggies' own a 1996 record of 8-0.
 
The Aggies got on the scoreboard first when Kristen Koop hit an unassisted goal from 10-yards out off a midfield breakaway at the 16:13 mark of the first half.  Florida responded at the 20:04 mark when sophomore Melissa Pini put a corner kick from sophomore Lisa Olinyk in the goal from three-yards out. 
 
The score remained tied for most of the second half until the Aggie's Yvette Okler hit the game-winning goal off an eight-yard shot from the right corner of the penalty box at the 88:12 mark.  She was assisted on the goal by Koop. 
 
For the match, Texas A&M out-shot the Gators 12-8.
 
"I thought we definitely had a much better second half as we made some defensive adjustments that were needed," UF head coach Becky Burleigh said.  "It was a hard-fought match and we played hard and that's all we can ask at this point.  If we continue to play this hard, the results are going to come.  Obviously we'd like to get a win, but we are satisfied with the team's effort."
 
"I think we had a lot of intensity in both halfs.  I think we had a lot of opportunities to score in the second half and we didn't put it away when we should have.  But I think we played with a lot of heart, but just didn't come out with a victory," said freshman midfielder Alison Benoit.
 
The Gators return to action Friday, Sept. 27 when they travel to Athens, Ga. To meet the Bulldogs at 4 p.m.
 

SCORING	1	2	FINAL
Texas A&M	1	1	2
Florida	1	0	1
Goalkeepers: UF - Pattishall (Harris 45); Texas A&M - Wilson
SCORING SUMMARY
A&M - Koop (unassisted), 6:13
UF - Pini (Olinyk), 20:04
A&M - Own goal, 88:12
SHOTS	1	2	FINAL
Texas A&M	7	4	11
Florida	3	5	8
SAVES	1	2	FINAL
Texas A&M	2	1	3
Florida	2	0	2
ATTENDANCE: 1,035