GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida soccer team begins its final two home matches of the regular season Thursday against Alabama. Match time is set for 6 p.m. at the
Donald R. Dizney Stadium and admission is free.
Match Promotions
- The first 500 fans Thursday get a free Florida Soccer scarf!
- Be sure to stay for the post-match fireworks!
Here's how to follow the Gators
Can't be at Dizney Stadium on Thursday? Watch the stream of the Alabama at UF match on
SEC Network +, beginning at 6 p.m. Adam Schick and Matthew Stubbington will call the action.
Hear Daniel Gillman and Annie Bobbitt's call Thursday at ESPN Gainesville 95.3FM or on
FloridaGators.com.
Two Places to Call Home
During the course of the Gators' eight home-match schedule, the team play at two venues –
James G. Pressly Stadium and
Dizney Stadium. Florida's final two matches of the 2016 regular season – Oct. 20 versus Alabama and Oct. 23 versus Mississippi State - will be played at Dizney Stadium.
Playing at Dizney Stadium during the regular season gives Florida venue options if the Gators are fortunate to be in position to host post-season action. A team needs to play at least two matches at a venue to have that site eligible for post-season play.
Last meeting:
Florida and Alabama did not meet in the 2015 season. When the two teams last met in Tuscaloosa for the 2014 league opener, the Gators claimed a 2-1 win in a match which saw all the scoring happen within a four-minute span.
Liz Slattery put the ball in off the scrum following a
Christen Westphal free kick at 74:00.
Lauren Silver's free kick went in untouched to give the Gators a 2-0 lead. The Tide cut the lead to a single goal when Laura Lee Smith scored at 78:00 off a cross.
The Gators in Last Week's Action:
In its top-20 match-up at No. 2 South Carolina last Sunday, the Gators lost 1-0 on a penalty kick in the 103
rd minute. In the 28-match all-time series between the two teams, six have gone to overtime – including three of the last four. South Carolina at 14-0-1 joins Bucknell as the nation's only two unbeaten Division I teams in 2016. Florida's goalkeeper
Kaylan Marckese equaled her collegiate-high of six saves for the fourth time this season.
About the Alabama Crimson Tide:
Alabama is 8-6-1 this season and is ninth with a 3-4-1 SEC record. Abbie Boswell leads UA in goals (6) and points (18) and shares the assist lead (6) with fellow sophomore Emma Welch. Junior Kat Stratton has played all but 32 minutes in goal for Alabama this season and owns a 1.00 goals against average. Wes Hart is in his second season as head coach of the Alabama program.
2016 Records:
Florida: 10-4, 5-3 SEC
UA: 8-6-1, 3-4-1 SEC
Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida swept the 2015 SEC titles (regular-season and tournament). Alabama was 14
th in 2015 SEC standings.
Current standings: Florida is fifth with a 5-3 record and Alabama is ninth with a 3-4-1 record.
Rankings:
Florida is ranked No. 20 on the latest
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll.
