Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Regular-season soccer action finishes around the Southeastern Conference Thursday. The only one of the seven matches across the league with a pairing of two top-20 teams is at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium as No. 17 Florida plays host to No. 3 South Carolina. Match time 7 p.m. ET and admission is free.
 
For the first time in Florida's 23-year history, the Gators face two different top-12 teams in SEC regular-season action – and these meetings come in a five-day span. Florida defeated No. 11 Tennessee Sunday 2-1 and faces No. 3 South Carolina Thursday.
 
This is the ninth time in the all-time series history – and the fourth consecutive - that Florida and South Carolina rank in the top-25 for a meeting. The last was in the 2016 SEC Tournament semifinal when then No. 15 Florida defeated then No. 2 South Carolina 1-0.
 
Thursday's Match Promotions
Thursday is Gator Senior Night. Celebrate the careers of Kristen Cardano, Jessie Holmes, Cassie Owens and Gabby Seiler in a pre-match ceremony. In the last four seasons, Florida owns an overall record of 66-16-4 (.791) and 32-9-1 (.774) in SEC play, which places UF No. 5 among the nation's programs for wins and winning percentage in that span. The Gators won the 2015 SEC title and two SEC Tournament titles (2015 and 2016) during their playing careers.
 
The first 500 fans receive a Gator soccer scarf. Stay after Thursday's match to enjoy the fireworks show!
 
Here's how to follow the Gators:
Thursday's match kicks off a SEC Network doubleheader. Gator Great Heather Mitts and Jenn Hildreth call the action for the Florida-South Carolina match. Then at 9 p.m. ET, Auburn faces Vanderbilt.
 
On the go? Watch SEC Network + to see Thursday's action.
 
Listen to Kyle Crooks and Matthew Stubbington's call of the match on ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM or on GatorVision.com.
 
Race for the SEC Title:
The top three teams in the SEC are set. The order of finish depends on what happens in Thursday's regular-season finales.
 
South Carolina has a one-point lead on Texas A&M and a four-point advantage over Florida. Teams receive three points for a win and one for a tie.
 
· A Gator win combined with a Texas A&M loss would put UF in a tie with the Aggies for second. Florida cannot win the SEC or drop lower than its current No. 3 position.
 
· An Aggie win at Mississippi State combined with a South Carolina loss or tie would put TAMU at the top of the final standings.
 
· A South Carolina win gives the Gamecocks their second consecutive league title. A tie combined with a TAMU loss or tie also wins the title for USC.
 
Gators in Sunday's Action:
The number two prevailed in Florida's win Sunday at then No. 11 Tennessee. In the second half, two Gator juniors each hit their second goal of the season to give UF a 2-1 victory. Florida's first goal came in the 55^th minute. Freshman Deanne Rose's through ball from the top corner of the box found Sarah Troccoli. She calmly one-touched it in from the penalty spot. UT tied the match in the 63rd minute with an Anna Bialczak header off a free kick.
 
The game-winning goal started in the 80^th minute when Briana Solis won the ball just inside the Vol half. She sent the ball forward to Madison Alexander standing above the box. Solis sprinted toward goal and Alexander sent the ball into the box. Solis caught up and then placed it in off a left-footed strike to the far post from 15 yards.
 
About the South Carolina Gamecocks:
South Carolina has been unbeaten in the last two seasons of league play (11-0 / 2016; 8-0-1 / 2017). Seven of USC's 2017 SEC wins were shutouts.
 
Senior All-American Savannah McCaskill leads USC with 22 points off seven goals and eight assists. She joined Gator junior Mayra Pelayo on the U.S. Under-23 National Team at the 2017 Open Nordic Tournament held in Sweden. Junior Mika Krzeczowski has 10 shutouts and a goals-against-average of 0.49, which ranked No. 16 in the NCAA Division I statistics.
 
Shelley Smith is in her 17^th season as the Gamecock's head coach.
 
Records:
Florida: 13-4-0, 7-2 SEC
South Carolina: 14-1-1 8-0-1 SEC
 
Rankings:
Florida ranks No. 17 on the United Soccer Coaches poll and South Carolina is No. 3.