Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gator soccer team begins four consecutive Thursday home appearances when Missouri visits for UF's annual Kicking for the Cure match (cancer awareness match). Match time is 6 p.m. at the James G. Pressly Stadium. Admission is free for all Gator soccer regular-season matches.
 
School colors will be set aside Thursday as the Gators will wear pink to show their support for the fight against breast cancer.
 
Match Promotions
The first 250 fans receive a pink Kicking for the Cure t-shirt. Also, take advantage of the Thursday Soccer $1 Concession deal -12 ounce drink and a large popcorn for just $1 each.
 
Here's how to follow the Gators
Watch the action on SEC Network + with Matthew Stubbington and Bernie Guenther calling the action.
 
Listen to Kyle Crooks and KeLeigh Hudson's call of the match on GatorVision.com.
 
Last Meeting
The two teams met in consecutive matches last year. Florida closed regular-season play with a 1-0 win at Missouri off a goal from Julia Lester.
 
Six days later, the two met in Orange Beach, Ala., for Southeastern Conference quarterfinal action. Florida advanced to the SEC Tournament semifinal with an 8-7 penalty kicks advantage after the two teams played to a 3-3 double overtime tie. The match saw every score line scenario – Florida trailed, then tied and took a two-goal lead that evaporated when the Tigers scored twice in the span of a minute in the second half. In the match, Melanie Monteagudo hit the first and final Gator goals and Sarah Troccoli scored off a first-half corner kick.
 
Late in regulation, Kaylan Marckese stopped a Tiger penalty kick to keep the match tied at 3-all. She also made the stop on Missouri's eighth penalty kick attempt.
 
Florida converted its eight penalty kick attempts, with Monteagudo hitting the decisive shot. It was the first time UF advanced on penalty kicks in four attempts at the SEC Tournament.
 
Gators in Sunday's SEC Action:
In Florida's only match last weekend, three different Gators scored in the second half for a 3-0 win at Georgia on Sunday.
 
Junior Briana Solis' 22-yard free kick in the 54^th minute was the game-winner. Then Solis served up a corner kick in the 61^st minute, which Gabby Seiler headed at the near post. The deflection off Seiler's shot landed in front of the goal where Cassie Owens placed in her first collegiate goal. Freshman Madison Alexander finished the scoring in the 84^th minute. Junior Melanie Monteagudo's pressure on the Bulldog backline forced a ball back to the UGA goalkeeper. Alexander raced to pressure the goalkeeper and the deflection off Alexander hit the near post. Alexander followed up for an empty goal tap-in for her first Gator goal.
 
It was Florida's second consecutive shutout and sixth of 2017. Seiler's assist moves her into a share for Florida's point lead (13) with freshman Deanne Rose.
 
About the Tigers:
Florida is Missouri's second top-25 opponent of 2017. Defending NCAA champion and then No. 7 Southern California defeated Missouri 2-0 on Sept. 1. UF and MU have faced three common opponents – Iowa State (UF & MU wins), Texas A&M (UF & MU losses) and Georgia (UF & MU wins). Missouri is coming off a 5-3 road loss to Vanderbilt last Friday.
 
Freshman Tess Rellihan leads the Tigers with five goals and 11 points.
 
Missouri is the third UF opponent so far this season that advanced to 2016 NCAA action. The Tigers lost 1-0 2OT at Kansas in 2016 NCAA First Round play.
 
Head Coach Bryan Blitz is in his 22nd season as Missouri head coach.
 
Records:
Florida: 9-2-0, 3-1 SEC
Missouri: 5-7-1, 1-3 SEC
 
Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida tied for third in the 2016 SEC regular-season standings and won the SEC Tournament title. The Tigers finished fifth in the SEC in 2016 at 6-4 and posted a final record of 11-7-2.
 

• Florida – The SEC coaches picked the Gators to win the 2017 Southeastern Conference title.
• Missouri – The Tigers are picked to place fourth in the SEC.

 
Rankings:
Florida ranks No. 9 on the United Soccer Coaches (USC) poll.