TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida soccer team won 2-1 Saturday evening over South Florida in a preseason match played in front of 1,458 fans at USF's Corbett Stadium.
About Saturday's Exhibition:
The only goal of the opening half came in the 33
rd minute. Junior
Gabby Seiler received the ball at top of box and then quickly drove through for a shot that went in untouched into far corner. Seiler, who transferred from Georgia after the 2014 season, joins the Gators' lineup in 2016 after sitting out last year due to Southeastern Conference transfer rules.
The Gators began the second half with seven new starters. In the 60
th minute, sophomore
Samantha Chung scored off an 18-yard shot that curled in the upper slot.
"I got an assist from Bri (Solis)," Chung said. "I touched it, hit it quick and it scored."
The Bulls scored in the 71st minute when freshman Evelyne Viens intercepted the ball at the top of the Gators' half and then headed toward goal to score on a 1v1 with the Florida keeper.
The Gators outshot the Bulls 16-5 Saturday evening.
Becky Burleigh said:
"I thought it was a really productive night for us because we got a lot of experience against a different style of play, a different team. That is exactly what we need going into our opening weekend.
"I'm excited about our opener. It will be nice to be at home, playing on our home field in front of our home crowd. This was a great atmosphere here tonight for an exhibition so I think that helped prepare us." – Florida Head Coach
Becky Burleigh
Prior to Saturday's exhibition match, the Florida and South Florida soccer teams worked together at the Metropolitan Ministries – Tampa Bay.
The players:
Helped serve a meal - Metropolitan Ministries provides 2,500 meals a day.
Cleaned the Ministries grounds and facility
Sorted donated clothes
Played basketball and dodge ball with children
Check out the photo gallery (images by Lorraine Hoffmann)
Next Up:
Florida opens the 2016 season next weekend with a pair of home matches at the James G. Pressly Stadium. Friday is the first meeting ever between Florida and Iowa State. Match time is set for 7 p.m. and the first 250 fans receive a Gator water bottle.
Then the Florida Atlantic Owls come to town Sunday for a 1 p.m. match. Pick up your key tag when you come in the Pressly Stadium gate.
Admission is free for all Gator regular-season home matches. Both matches next weekend can be seen live on the SEC Network +.
