The first goal of Lais Araujo's UF career proved the game-winner Friday as the Gators knocked off No. 1-ranked Stanford. Araujo immediately ran to the sideline to celebrate. (Photo: Matt Stamey/UAA Communications)
Sweet Sweep: A Fun Friday Night for Gators
Friday, August 25, 2017 | General, Soccer, Volleyball, Scott Carter
The Florida soccer and volleyball teams both knock off the No. 1-ranked teams in the country within hours of each other on campus.
Araujo doubted her family was able to watch Florida's win over No. 1-ranked Stanford on Friday night. Still, whenever they eventually watch the clip of Araujo's game-winning goal in the 81st minute, they will probably watch it over and over and over.
Araujo took a pass from teammate Melanie Monteagudo in stride as she cut toward the goal, then faked Stanford defender Michelle Xiao inside the box. Araujo, still in control of the ball, next bent a shot into the upper right-hand corner of the net, just out of the reach of Cardinal goalkeeper Alison Jahansouz for the game-winner.
Pure joy then took over after Araujo's first goal for the Gators. She raced to the sideline to celebrate, her smile as wide as the Gulf of Mexico.
"I loved the fact she shared that moment with our bench,'' Gators head coach Becky Burleigh said. "That's ridiculous composure inside the six-yard box. It's really hard to keep that calmness. She brings that."
It's a Gator night to remember. Soccer beats #1 Stanford and Volleyball follows up by downing #1 Texas. I would say that's a great night ??????
— Amanda O'Leary (@amandaoleary5) August 26, 2017
The first junior college transfer in the program's history, Araujo arrived at UF after playing two seasons at ASA College in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her background is impressive, which includes serving as captain for the Brazil Under-20 World Cup team in 2016.
Friday was just her third game in a Florida uniform. She won't forget it as the No. 8-ranked Gators defeated Stanford for the first time in six all-time meetings and won its second all-time home match against a No. 1-ranked team (Florida State in 2015 was the first).
"Everyone knew it was going to be a big challenge for us,'' Araujo said. "I just kept the focus … and Melanie gave me a great pass. It was a special moment because it was my first goal and it got to be in a home game."
The Gators ran players in and out to keep constant pressure on the Cardinal. The plan worked as Stanford eventually wore down and the Gators capitalized with a pair of goals in the final 12 minutes.
"In the end, this is just one game and the result doesn't define us,'' Burleigh said. "But the things we take from it, like our resilience, those are things that do continue to define us."
She might be new to UF, but Araujo is apparently a quick learner. Pressed for more on the team's comeback and what the win means, Araujo said words you would expect Steve Spurrier to say, not necessarily a kid who spent last summer with the Brazil World Cup team playing in Papua, New Guinea.
"It was a great night for the Gators,'' she said.
That was around 7:30. By 10 p.m., it was a momentous night for the Gators.
The No. 12-ranked Gators volleyball team hosted No. 1 Texas on Friday night in its first match in the revamped Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. A year ago, the Gators played in the Lemerand Center as the O'Dome was under construction.
While the soccer team needed a second-half comeback to beat Stanford, the volleyball team jumped ahead of the Longhorns by winning the first two sets in front of a rabid crowd of 7,523, the second-largest crowd in program history.
The Gators delivered with a 3-1 victory, starting the season in memorable fashion by taking down the No. 1 team in the country for the third time in school history.
"I don't think you can ever talk about this match without talking about the crowd,'' Gators head coach Mary Wise said.
Immediately after the upset win, senior Rhamat Alhassan could barely contain her excitement during a live interview on the SEC Network.
Immediately after the upset win, senior Rhamat Alhassan could barely contain her excitement during a live interview on the SEC Network.
How did they do it?
"We want to be the best team in the country,'' Alhassan said. "We know how to win."
Sideline reporter Holly Rowe, who will be at AT&T Stadium for the Florida-Michigan football game next weekend, wasn't going to let Alhassan depart without getting her thoughts on Florida's sweet sweep Friday.
Two No. 1 teams in town, two No. 1 teams go down.
"Gator Nation. That's all I can say,'' said Alhassan.
On this Friday night, Gator Nation had a lot of fun.
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