Florida Gators

ORANGE BEACH, Alabama – A 5-4 penalty kick decision over Florida advances Tennessee to the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinal round. Florida and Tennessee played to a 1-1 double overtime tie in Wednesday's opening match of the SEC Tournament at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

It was Florida's first penalty kick decision since the 2010 NCAA Second Round (Duke advanced 4-2 PKs). Florida is 0-3 in penalty kick decision at the SEC Tournament, as Auburn advanced to the semifinals on 5-4 PK advantage in the Gators first SEC Tournament appearance in 1995 and Tennessee took the 2003 SEC Tournament title with a 7-6 PK decision over the Gators in the final.

Today, the Vols struck early in the match in the third minute when senior Hannah Wilkinson headed the ball forward the far post. Senior Cheyenne Spade took a shot, then won the ball off the deflection to then make the scoring touch from short distance.

Florida tied the match just before the half. From the top of the Vol defensive third, Havana Solaun sent the ball forward to Savannah Jordan in the box. Jordan touched the ball to the top of the box to Annie Speese and her left-footed shot just tucked in at the near post.

Florida goalkeeper Taylor Burke kept the Vols off the scoreboard when she changed directions mid-air to make the save on Wilkinson's shot in the box in the 52^nd minute. Florida made a push at the end of the second overtime with three corner kicks in the final minute.

In penalty kicks, the first three Gators – Annie Bobbitt, Speese and Solaun – successfully converted their kicks. Jordan recorded a miss in UF's fourth position and Lauren Silver hit the fifth. Tessa Andujar's attempt went wide and the Vols move ahead to the SEC semifinals with a final 5-4 advantage.

2014 Records:

Florida: 14-4-1, 9-2 SEC

Tennessee: 10-9-2, 4-6-1 SEC

What the Gators Said:

On today's game:

“It was a pretty physical game. It was disjointed as the game seemed to stop a lot. I think that affects us a little bit because rhythm is important to the way we play. But I think it is a really good learning experience for us to figure out how do we get our rhythm back when it is trying to be disrupted?” – Florida head coach Becky Burleigh

What did you see from Tennessee today? Any difference from the first meeting 13 days ago?

“I don't think they were anything more than what we expected them to be. It was a pretty physical game both times we played them. I think the first game seemed to flow a little bit more even though it was still physical.” – Florida head coach Becky Burleigh

What did you tell the team after the result?

“For us, we are not really attached to the result. It gives us an opportunity to get some much needed rest. I think it gives us a chance to evaluate some of the things we can do better before we hit the NCAA Tournament. Penalty kicks are the bane of all soccer player's existence. You feel great if you win them; you don't feel great if you don't. I was proud of the way we played today.” – Florida head coach Becky Burleigh

What did you think of today's match?

“We played to the last whistle. I think we had three corner kicks right at the very end. Everyone did what they thought was everything they could do. So I think we left it on the field.” – senior midfielder Havana Solaun

Thoughts from today's game:

“Obviously the result is disappointing but the theme with our team is that it isn't about the result. In the end of the day, what I loved to see is the way we came around our teammates at the end and rallied around the girls who missed the PKs. It is about picking them back up and getting ready for the tournament now.” – senior midfielder Annie Speese

What happened on your goal?

“Havana [Solaun] played the ball through to Savannah [Jordan]. It was a fantastic ball – really penetrating. It beat at least two lines of defenders. Savannah did a great job of securing and setting the ball to me. She was really selfless about that and made it really easy for me.” – senior midfielder Annie Speese

You are coming back from an injury to your quad. How did it hold up today?

“I was trying not to think about my quad. Becky wasn't going to play me unless they felt like they needed me on the field. So when I went in, I decided I wasn't going to think about it and just play. If it was bad, I would be honest. It was all right.” – senior midfielder Annie Speese

Notes:

This is the third time in the program's 20-year history the Gators were eliminated after their opening match of the SEC Tournament. Florida did not advance in its first appearance in 1995, as Auburn took a 5-4 penalty kick advantage after the team's played to a 1-all tie. Auburn also eliminated UF from the 2005 tournament after a 2-1 opening round win.

The Gators are 2-4 all-time in penalty kicks. UF advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 off penalty kick decisions in 2006 and 2007. Florida did not advance after the match went to PKs in the 1995 SEC Tournament opening round and 2010 NCAA Second Round. Tennessee took the 2003 SEC Tournament title with a 7-6 PK advantage in that year's final.

Today's goal was the third for Speese this season and the 20^th of her Gator career. She is now tied for 18^th among Gators all-time for career goals.

This was Florida's second overtime match of the season. The Gators lost at then No. 4 Stanford 1-0 OT on Sept. 12. All-time, UF is 35-16-27 in overtime matches.

Series Record
Florida is now 15-8-3 all-time versus the Volunteers, including 1-0-2 in Orange Beach.

Rankings:

Florida is ranked No. 8 on the 11th National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll.

Next up:

The Gators now await the announcement of the NCAA Championships' 64-team field on Monday, Nov. 10. The complete field will be revealed at 4:30 p.m. ET on NCAA.com. Florida has advanced to the NCAA field 17 of the last 19 years.

SEC Tournament

Tennessee (10-9-2) vs Florida (14-4-1)

Stadium: O.B. Sportsplex

Weather: 78 degrees, sunny

Scoring Summary

Penalty Kicks

Shots: Tennessee 9, Florida 18

 Saves: Tennessee 5 (Jamie Simmons 5) , Florida 3 (Taylor Burke 3)

 Tennessee advances on PKs, 5-4