Senior Day has No. 13 Florida Soccer Meeting LSU Sunday
Saturday, October 22, 2011 | Soccer
The 400th match in the 17-year history of the Gator soccer program has No. 13 Florida (14-4, 7-2 SEC) meeting LSU (11-6-1, 6-3 SEC) Sunday. The Florida-LSU match airs live on ESPNU (Gainesville/Ocala Cox cable channel 251). Both teams are among those with a chance at the 2011 Southeastern Conference title, as Florida shares the current lead with South Carolina with 7-2 records and LSU is in fourth with its league record of 6-3.
| Sunday's Match Info: |
| No. 13 Florida (14-4-0, 7-2-0 SEC) vs. LSU (11-6-1, 6-3 SEC) Date & Time: Oct. 23, 2011 @ 2 p.m. ET The Coaches: Becky Burleigh, 17th season @ UF (379-99-32/21st season overall – 297-76-26/UF), Brian Lee – 221-125-35/18th season overall & 75-45-25/seventh season at LSU Television: live on ESPNU (Gainesville/Ocala Cox Cable channel 251) Radio: live on WRUF SportsRadio 850 Video: none Internet: live stats and audio for UF-LSU match available on www.GatorZone.com Tickets: free admission Promotions: Senior Day – the careers of Florida's seniors will be celebrated in a pre-match ceremony; Neon Silicone Bracelet Giveaway - the first 500 fans will receive a FREE silicone bracelet commemorating Florida Soccer's 11 SEC Championships; Dress Like Your Favorite Gator – fans are encouraged to wear shirts, jerseys, hats, etc. honoring their favorite senior. For a complete list of promotions for Sunday's match, please visit the Gator Outlook. |
Sunday is Senior Day and seven Gators - Tahnai Annis, Jazmyne Avant, Brooke Chancey, Sarah Chapman, Katie Kadera, Lindsay Thompson and Lindsay Williams - will be honored in a pre-match ceremony. This class owns a four-year record of 68-16-6 (.789) and that win total ranks No. 6 among Division I women's soccer teams over the last four seasons. This group has been a part of Florida's 2008, 2009 and 2010 SEC Championships teams and the 2010 SEC Tournament title squad. UF has appeared in the last three NCAA Championship's field.
Fans are encouraged to wear attire to Sunday's match to honor their favorite senior.
In the 2010 meeting, the Gators used a goal in each half to take a 2-0 win in Baton Rouge. Then freshman Taylor Travis put the Gators on the board early in the fourth minute when she scored on a 35-yard strike – Florida's longest goal of the 2010 season. Natalia Torosian hit a 10-yard shot off the assist from Maggie Rodgers in the 71st minute to give UF the final margin.
This is the week for split action for SEC teams, as all league teams will play one away and one home match. Florida started the weekend Thursday with a 2-1 overtime win at Arkansas. The match was a bit reminiscent of Florida's upset Sunday at Mississippi, as UF was again trailing after a goal in the first four minutes. But unlike the 1-0 loss at MSU, Florida found the equalizer late in the match. Junior Brooke Thigpen, who entered the match in the 74th minute, tied the match at 79:13 with her first goal of the season. The play started when freshman Annie Speese sent a free kick toward the end line where junior Jo Dragotta ran onto it and sent it low across the mouth of the goal. Thigpen scored at the far post to push the match to the team's second overtime of the season. Thigpen's roommate on the Arkansas road trip, freshman Havana Solaun, headed in the cross from Lindsay Thompson at 91:24 for her sixth goal of the season and her first career golden goal
Solaun has been a productive point producer as of late, turning in at least a point in six of the last eight matches. Twelve of her 18 points this season have come in that span.
LSU is 11-6-1 in 2011 and appeared on the national polls this season. The Tigers opened league play with a 4-0 record and currently stands fourth in the league standings – just three points out of first. LSU lost 4-1 to South Carolina on Thursday in Baton Rouge, La. Senior Taryne Boudreau leads the Tigers with 25 points off a team-high 10 goals and five assists.
TopDrawer Soccer posted its list of the top 20 players in the Southeastern Conference. Topping that list is Gator junior Erika Tymrak. She leads the Gators with 11 goals and 27 points. Both totals rank second in the league. Two other Gators appear on the list – junior All-American Kathryn Williamson (No. 6) and McKenzie Barney (No. 13). LSU also has three on the list – No. 7 Boudreau, No.12 Mo Isom and No. 14 Addie Eggleston.
With two matches remaining, Florida and South Carolina are atop the SEC standings with 21 points. Georgia is third at 19 and LSU is fourth with 18 points. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a tie.
The match can also be heard on WRUF SportsRadio 850, by simulcast on Cox Channel 946 (Gainesville/Ocala) or on www.GatorZone.com with Adam Schick and Matthew Stubbington calling the action.
