GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida soccer team completes its 2016 Southeastern Conference slate Thursday at Missouri. Match time is set for 9 p.m. ET at the
Audrey J. Walton Complex and the match airs live on the SEC Network.
The first and final matches of the 77-match 2016 SEC schedule includes the Gators. The first match of 2016 SEC action was a 2-1 2OT UF win at Kentucky on Sept. 8.
All league teams will be action on Thursday, Oct. 27 on the last day of SEC regular-season competition. The 9 p.m. ET start time puts the Florida at Missouri match as the day's finale.
SEC Standings:
Heading into the final day of play, South Carolina has claimed its second SEC title with a 10-0 record and is the only team set in its regular-season finishing position.
The other nine spots for the 10-team SEC Tournament field will be determined after the final day of regular-season play as the nine teams could move up, down or hold based on Thursday's play. Florida and Arkansas are tied for third at 21 points, trailing second-place Auburn (24 points). Missouri is fifth at 19 points. A win adds three points, a tie one point to a team's total. The SEC Tournament field will be announced after the conclusion of the Florida at Missouri match.
Here's how to follow the Gators
Thursday's match airs live on the SEC Network. Gator Great Heather Mitts and Jenn Hildreth will call the action. Watch the stream of the Florida at Missouri match on
SEC Network +, beginning at 9 p.m.
Hear Adam Schick's call Thursday on ESPN Gainesville 95.3 FM or at
FloridaGators.com.
Last meeting:
When Florida and Missouri last met in 2014, the Gators claimed a 3-1 win at the Dizney Stadium. The Gators' opening half goals came from
Havana Solaun and
Betsy Middleton. The Tigers scored early in the second half of a long shot from Alli Magaletta but
Savannah Jordan's goal in the 58th minute pushed the score to the final 3-1.
The Gators in Last Weekend's Action:
Fans at the Dizney Stadium on October 20 were treated to scoring fireworks during the match and then a post-match fireworks display. Six different Gators scored in the 6-0 win over Alabama, marking the third time in 2016 Florida has turned in five or more goals. First half scorers were
Savannah Jordan and
Melanie Monteagudo.
Meggie Dougherty Howard scored on Florida's fourth penalty kick attempt of the season to open second-half scoring. Then in less than four minutes, Florida scored three goals from
Brooke Sharp,
Pamela Begic and
Kit Loferski.
On Sunday, Oct. 23, there was just a single goal, but plenty of chances as Florida celebrated a successful Senior Day with a 1-0 win over Mississippi State. The only goal of the match started with a Dougherty Howard corner kick. The ball was headed away from the far post, but
Mayra Pelayo's left-footed volley scored in the 81
st minute. To preserve Florida's fifth shutout of the last seven matches,
Kaylan Marckese made a one-handed save on a charging Makayla Waldner just above the six-yard box in the final minute.
About the Missouri Tigers:
Missouri is 11-5-1 this season and right behind Florida at the No. 5 spot in the current SEC standings at 6-3-1. This season, MU owns a 9-1 home record, with the only loss coming in the home opener (2-1 OT loss to Iowa). The Tigers are coming off a 4-3 come-from-behind win at Georgia Sunday, as MU responded from a 2-0 halftime deficit to take the win.
Freshman Sarah Luebbert leads MU in goals (10) and points (24). Sophomore Kelsey Dossey has played every match but one this season and owns a 1.09 goals against average.
Bryan Blitz, the 2015 SEC Coach of the Year, is in his 21st season as head of the MU program.
2016 Records:
Florida: 12-4, 7-3 SEC
MU: 11-5-1, 6-3-1 SEC
Current SEC standings: Florida is tied for third with a 7-3 record and Missouri fifth with a 6-3-1 record.
Rankings:
Florida is ranked No. 17 on the latest
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll and Missouri is receiving votes.
