OXFORD, Miss. – Five goals from five different players gave the No. 23 University of Florida soccer team a 5-1 win over Mississippi Sunday afternoon in a match between the Southeastern Conference division leaders. The win pushes the Gators' record to 10-6 overall and 6-0 in the SEC, while Mississippi drops its first home match of the year to fall to 11-4, 3-2 in the SEC.
Florida opened up a 4-0 lead by halftime. The Gators took the opening kick down the field, sending the ball wide to Erica "Boo" Schubert, who sent in the long cross for the header by
Abby Wambach. Wambach's goal at 19 seconds is the fastest goal in school history, erasing the previous low of 29 second set by
Andi Sellers vs. Tennessee on Oct. 17, 1997. Florida's next goal came at 27:46 from sophomore
Kara Rao, who put the rebound off
Andi Sellers' shot through the legs of a Rebel defender. Florida's next two goals were scored with just over two minutes separating them. Junior
Jill Stevens got her third goal of the season at 37:29, one-touching the ball in from 10-yards off the assist from Rao. Freshman
Megan McMillan scored her first collegiate goal at 39:31, taking the through ball from Rao to score from eight-yards.
Angie Olson opened the second-half scoring at 61:32, chipping the ball in from 18-yards for her first goal of the season. The Rebels scored the final goal of the match at 78:05, as Anna Sanders scored off a short shot to the far post.
"I thought it was great for us to get on the board early," UF Head Coach
Becky Burleigh said. "To score early was one of our goals, so that was exciting to reach that goal. It was a good chance for everyone to play and get some valuable time on the field. I'm happy with the two wins this weekend. We are looking forward to returning home next weekend."
The Gators play host to SEC opponents Alabama and Auburn for the final weekend of regular-season home play. Florida meets Alabama on Friday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. and Auburn on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. Both matches are at the Percy Beard Stadium and admission is free.
Oct. 15, 2000
