No. 14 Florida Soccer Team Returns Home to Face Alabama Friday
Thursday, October 8, 2009 | Soccer
The No. 14 University of Florida soccer team (8-4-1, 2-1-1 SEC) returns home to play host to Southeastern Conference Western Division rival Alabama (5-4-1, 1-1-1 SEC) on Friday, Oct. 9. Match time is set for 7 p.m. at the James G. Pressly Stadium. Admission is free for all 2009 Gator soccer regular-season matches.
Friday's match will be televised live on SUN Sports (Gainesville/Ocala Cox Cable channel 48) with Larry Vettel and Matthew Stubbington calling the action.
| Friday's Match Info: |
| Florida vs. Alabama Friday, Oct. 9 @ 7 p.m. (ET) Site: James G. Pressly Stadium (4,500) Admission: free Press Box Phone: (352) 375-4683 x6110 The Coaches: Becky Burleigh, 15th season @ UF (338-91-28/20 seasons overall - 256-68-22/UF), Todd Bramble, second season at UA (9-9-3) and ninth overall (89-60-20) Television: live on SUN Sports with Larry Vettel and Matthew Stubbington calling the action Radio: WRUF AM 850; simulcast on Cox Cable 946 in Gainesville/Ocala Internet: live stats & streaming audio for UF-UA match available on www.GatorZone.com Streaming Video: live streaming video available – go to www.Gatorzone.com and click on GatorVision link for complete information Match Promotions: Junior Gator Kids Zone – All kids, 12 and under, can participate in a goal-kick challenge, can have their face painted, spin the prize wheel, and have photo opportunities with the Alberta and the Dazzlers; Domino's Treasure Hunt Match – Game cards and stickers will be handed out for fans to continue their season-long treasure hunt collection throughout Gainesville; Big Brother/Big Sister Night – All area members have been invited to the match and will receive reserved seating and a free hot dog and soda for those who RSVP to Kari Hodgkiss at 352-375-4683 ext. 6600 or karih@gators.uaa.ufl.edu; Student-Athlete Instructor Appreciation Night – All team members have been given invitations to invite their teachers/professors and their families to the game. For a complete list of promotions for Friday's match, please visit the Gator Outlook. |
Florida defeated Alabama in both of its meetings last season. UF took a 6-1 win at Alabama during the regular season, but needed to come from a halftime deficit to claim a 2-1 victory over the Tide in the opening round of the 2008 SEC Tournament. Then junior Ashlee Elliott gave UF the go-ahead goal in the 89th minute to send Florida to the SEC Tournament semifinal round. In the all-time series, UF leads 13-0-1.
Florida will be looking for a victory Friday after going winless in its trip to the Magnolia State last weekend. The Gators tied Mississippi State 1-1 2OT last Friday in Starkville. Florida's score came when Lindsay Thompson hit a penalty kick late in regulation. The Gators then lost 3-2 2OT at Mississippi on Sunday, Oct. 4. It was UF's first loss in SEC regular-season action in 24 matches –a streak that began Oct. 7, 2007 with a 1-0 win over Kentucky. Florida fell behind early in the second half but scored the next two goals in the match off strikes from Brooke Thigpen and Tahnai Annis. The Rebels scored the tying goal in the 84th minute and scored early in the second overtime period to take the second win in the all-time 15-match series with UF.
Alabama also turned in a loss and a tie in last weekend's league action. The Tide lost 3-0 to SEC leader LSU on Friday and played Arkansas to a scoreless tie on Sunday. UA played three SEC matches in the span of six days last week as they opened SEC play with a 1-0 win at Mississippi State on Tuesday, Sept. 29. That match was a make-up date for the originally scheduled Sept. 27 match that was postponed due to unplayable field conditions in Starkville, Miss. The Tide is led by junior Victoria Frederick, who has turned in four goals and two assists for 10 points. Last season, Alabama posted a 9-9-2 record in 2008 and tied for eighth in the SEC.
Live, streaming video of Friday's match can be seen at www.GatorZone.com – just click on the GatorVision icon for more information. Friday's match can also be heard live on AM 850 WRUF or via simulcast on Gainesville/Ocala Cox Cable channel 946 and www.GatorZone.com. Adam Schick and Mike Gillespie will cover the action Friday.
