GAINESVILLE, Fla. – An early goal was all Gator soccer needed Thursday to open Southeastern Conference play with a 1-0 win over previously unbeaten Mississippi.
 
Thursday's match at the James G. Pressly Stadium was the first Gator athletics event since Hurricane Irma forced the cancellation or postponement of all scheduled events.
 
How the Goal Was Scored:
A duo of juniors paired to give the Gators their earliest goal of the season in the fifth minute.
 
Melanie Monteagudo received a throw-in from Gabby Seiler and took a couple of touches to create space on the far side of the box. The cross she placed into the box bounced between the Rebel defenders. Mayra Pelayo used her left foot to sweep the ball in at the far post from nine yards.
 
That goal stood for the next 85 minutes. The Gators outshot the nation's leading goal scoring team 10-4.
 
Thursday's match was the first action for junior goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese. She was sidelined for the first six matches with a hand injury. Marckese turned in two saves Thursday while collecting her 15^th career solo shutout. The Rebels' final recorded shot came in the 82^nd minute, a hard strike from the top of the box by junior Cece Kizer. Marckese made the stop and covered the ball to ensure no trailing Rebels could try to make a play on a deflection.
 
 

 
Worth Noting

• Florida is now 18-4-1 in SEC openers.
• Pelayo hit her first goal of the season Thursday. She is the eighth Gator to score a goal in 2017.
• The goal at 4:43 ended Mississippi's shutout streak record at 569 minutes. The only other goal allowed by the Rebels this season came against Michigan on Aug. 25 (1-1 2OT).
• Tonight was the third time in the last five meetings that both Florida and Mississippi brought a top-25 ranking.
• This was the eighth match of the last 14 meetings between UF and UM decided by a single goal.

What the Gators Said:

On today's match.
"We had so many opportunities today. I put in the first opportunity we had. Mel (Monteagudo] crossed it in and I just tapped it in.
 
"I've been working on that during practices with Alan [Kirkup, UF Associate Head Coach] so it finally worked out, which feels great." – junior midfielder Mayra Pelayo
 
How did it feel to get back out on the field after your injury? Your thoughts on the team's defensive effort?
"It felt great. Not as if I never left, but it felt natural.
 
"It is something we definitely worked on – the defensive effort. It is just a testament to Gabby [Seiler], Kristen [Cardano] and Rachelle [Smith] back there along with everyone on the field. We want to show that we are strong defensively and I think we did that today." – junior Kaylan Marckese


 
 
Records:
Florida: 6-1-0, 1-0 SEC
Mississippi: 7-1-1, 0-1 SEC
 
Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida tied for third in the 2016 SEC regular-season standings and won the SEC Tournament title. Mississippi was ninth in the 2016 SEC standings.
 

• Florida – The SEC coaches picked the Gators to win the 2017 Southeastern Conference title.
• Mississippi – The Rebels are picked to place ninth in the SEC.

 
Rankings:
Florida ranks No. 7 on the United Soccer Coaches (USC) poll and Mississippi is No. 24.
 
Next up:
The Gators travel to the Midwest to meet Iowa State (2-5-1, 0-0 Big 12). The match is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at the Iowa State Sports Complex and admission is free.
 
Sunday's match is available on Cyclones.TV. Listen to Kyle Crooks call of Sunday's match on ESPN 98.1FM / 850AM or GatorVision.com.
 
Mississippi (7-1-1, 0-1 SEC) at Florida (6-1-0, 1-0 SEC)
Stadium: James G. Pressly Stadium (914)
Weather: 81 degrees, winds S 3 mph, 74% humidity
 

Goals by Period	1	2	Total
Mississippi	0	0	0
Florida	1	0	1

 
Scoring Summary:

No.	Time	Team	Goal Scorer	Assist	Description
1.	4:43	UF	Mayra Pelayo	Melanie Monteagudo	9yd tap-in

 
Shots: Mississippi 4, Florida 10
Saves: Mississippi 3 (Marnie Merritt 3), Florida 2 (Kaylan Marckese 2)