Florida’s Fotopoulos Uses Hat-Trick to Tie NCAA Career Goals Record * Gators Defeat UNC-Greensboro

Friday, October 9

Gainesville, FL

8:00 PM

Florida Gators

UNC-Greensboro

Florida’s Fotopoulos Uses Hat-Trick to Tie NCAA Career Goals Record * Gators Defeat UNC-Greensboro

Friday, October 9, 1998 | Soccer

By: UF Athletics Communications

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida senior All-American Danielle Fotopoulos tied the NCAA Career Goals record Friday evening in front of an enthusiastic Percy Beard crowd of 1,335. Fotopoulos scored three goals Friday night as the Gators defeated North Carolina-Greensboro 6-0. The hat-trick by Fotopoulos moves her into a three-way tie for the top position on the NCAA Career Goals chart, sharing the top spot at 103 with current U.S. National Team Members Mia Hamm (North Carolina, 89-90, 92-93) and Tiffeny Milbrett (Portland, 90-92, 94).

Friday's hat-trick was her second of the season and her second in the Gators' last three matches. Fotopoulos, who now owns a career total of five hat tricks, went beyond the hat-trick last Friday in UF's 7-2 win at No. 20 Maryland when she scored four times.

Fotopoulos said she sensed throughout the match that her teammates were trying to get her the ball tonight.

"They just kept feeding me and feeding me," she said. "I love them, I love them all."

While her unassisted shot from 4 yards out at 67:36 looked calmly placed past Spartan goalkeeper Kathryn Clewley, Fotopoulos said she had to remember to control herself.

"I was thinking to be calm. The keeper went down and I was just thinking don't kick it at her," she said. "Tying the record, it was special. I dove in front of the bench because I know they are a big part of it."

Florida also had goals from Keisha Bell, her first as a collegian, Lisa Olinyk, and Kerri Doran. Goalkeepers Meredith Flaherty and Lynn Pattishall combined for the shutout.

The victory, Florida's second consecutive 6-0 rout, extends the Gators best ever start to 11-0. They look to continue that streak Sunday against defending national champion No. 1 North Carolina (12-0). The match is at 2 p.m. at Percy Beard Stadium and admission is free.