Orlando Pride Wins 5-1 Over Gators
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 | Soccer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gator soccer team lost 5-1 to the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League Tuesday afternoon at the Florida Soccer Practice Field.
The match was played as three 30-minute periods. The Gators nearly scored late in the opening period when a lofted ball from Sarah Troccoli found Savannah Jordan in the Pride's box, but her one-timer shot was stopped.
The Pride opened up a 3-0 lead in the second period off of a pair of goals from U.S. National Team member Alex Morgan and Sarah Hagen. UF sophomore Melanie Monteagudo had a pair of good looks in the period. The first in the 39th minute started with a leading pass from Meggie Dougherty Howard, but Monteagudo couldn't get a touch on it before the ball was covered. Late in the period, Monteagudo won the ball above the box and then moved toward goal, but her 12-yard shot was stopped at near post.
Christina Burkenroad scored twice in the final period to push the Pride's total to five for the match. With time expiring, Troccoli's 18-yard left-footed volley scored in the upper right corner.
Hear from the Gators:
On today's match:
"I think there was some really good stretches in that game. I was excited about the opportunity for us. To play against a team that can play at this speed of play with their athleticism and technical ability – if we could do that every week, that would be amazing. I thought it was a great opportunity for us to really challenge ourselves. There was some great stretches in there – probably could have been up 1-0 in the first period. We get into some depth issues but that is part of spring." – Florida Coach Becky Burleigh
On her goal:
"I realized there was five seconds left so I whacked it. It was supposed to be a shot so I volleyed it and it went to the far right corner from the 18." – rising sophomore Sarah Troccoli
How does playing a team like the Orlando Pride benefit the Gators?
"Playing against a team of such a high level really pressures us to play at their level. If we get used to playing at that speed and learning to play at that speed, it really will help us play against people in our league." - rising sophomore Sarah Troccoli
Next up:
The Gators finish spring play in the opening weekend of April, facing Wake Forest on April 2 and Duke on April 3. Both matches are at the Wake Med Park in Cary, N.C.
