GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The opening weekend for preseason No. 7 Gator soccer ended Sunday evening with a 4-2 win over Florida Atlantic at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
Sunday's match saw both Gator scorers from Friday's opener striking again, with added goals from a freshman and senior.
Sunday's scoring:
Florida scored first in the 15
th minute. A cross started at the touchline found
Briana Solis at the top of the box. Solis' shot was blocked and
Cassidy Lindley touched the deflection out wide to
Melanie Monteagudo. She took a touch toward goal before sending a left-footed strike to the far corner.
Madison Alexander turned in her second goal of the weekend in the 35
th minute. She tapped in the ball from eight yards off the assists from seniors
Lais Araujo and
Sarah Troccoli.
Lindley scored her first collegiate goal within the opening minute of the second half. The freshman caught up with Troccoli's through ball down the middle of the field to score from six yards.
FAU broke up the shutout in the 52
nd minute when Tiril Haga scored from five yards off the deflection of Pernille Velta's shot.
Sammie Betters headed in the deep cross from Lindley in the 63
rd minute for Florida's fourth goal. It was Betters' second goal of the weekend as she opened Florida's scoring in Friday's 2-1 win versus Washington.
Ebba Blomqvist headed in Emma Jacobs free kick in the 78
th minute to finish scoring for the match.
Worth Noting
- That was career goal No. 10 for Monteagudo. She is the 39th player in UF's 24 seasons with 10 or more career goals.
- Through just two matches, Betters set her season-high goals total with two. She also scored one goal in her injury-shortened freshman season in 2016.
- Alexander scores a goal in consecutive matches for the first time. Her five career goals have come in Florida's last 16 matches.
- Lindley added two assists to go along with her first Gator goal. She also assisted on Florida's game-winning goal in Friday's 2-1 win versus Washington.
- Susi Espinoza's seven saves tonight sets her career high. Her previous high (5) came last season in Florida's 3-2 win versus No. 1 Stanford.
Records:
Florida: 2-0-0, 0-0 SEC
Florida Atlantic: 0-2-0, 0-0 C-USA
What the Gators Said:
First impressions of second game, second win?
"Our goal was to win and to shut them out so we accomplished one of those. Credit to FAU to show some resilience. Both of those goals were from set pieces so we have a focus for the upcoming week." – Florida Head Coach
Becky Burleigh
Positives you saw today?
"We have the ability to score some pretty goals. Their keeper made a SportsCenter top 10 save so I cannot be too angry about that. We have the ability but we have to do a much better job defensively. There was some great play leading up to the goals but we just have to find our identity both offensively and defensively." – Florida Head Coach
Becky Burleigh
A Gator scored her first goal today. What have you seen from Cassidy Lindley so far?
"It was definitely exciting for her. She has been very dangerous player offensively and I am sure that is helping with her confidence." – Florida Head Coach
Becky Burleigh
Talk about the team's performance and what went well.
"We came out strong and scored pretty early and also kept our composure with the goal. Once we have the lead, we have to find a way to keep it and defend well against set pieces. Once that comes together I think we will be good." – senior midfielder
Melanie Monteagudo
What happened on your goal?
"They [coaches] kept stressing to stay wide and to keep the width all pregame so that is what I did. Cassidy gave me a great ball and I took it to the post." – senior midfielder
Melanie Monteagudo
You scored your first goal as a Gator. What did you see on the play?
"It was definitely exciting to get my first goal. My team has really pushed me in the past few weeks. Mich [
Sarah Troccoli] got the ball in, I saw a gap so I made the run in. I saw Madi [Alexander] on the backside so if I did not have the angle then I knew I could cross to her but I saw the back corner and finished with the outside of my foot.
"I've been dreaming for this goal since I first committed here." – freshman forward
Cassidy Lindley
You had a pair of assists today.
"Cassidy [Lindley] and Madi [Alexander] have both been great at making those runs. Since last year, Madi has gotten so much better and has been smart with runs. They make it look easy. I am very proud of Cassidy for getting her first goal." – senior captain
Sarah Troccoli
Focus for upcoming practices?
"We just have to work on keeping those leads and defending against set pieces. We obviously have the offensive part so we just have to not have our defense fall apart and keep it strong." – senior captain
Sarah Troccoli
Talk about your performance – you had a career-high seven saves.
"It was a Sunday game so usually the team is tired so I was just trying to stay focused. It was hot so I just had to do whatever I could to stay in the game and help my team win." – junior goalkeeper
Susi Espinoza
Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida took third in the 2017 SEC regular-season standings. Florida Atlantic was sixth in the 2017 Conference USA standings.
Florida – The
SEC coaches picked the Gators to win the 2018 Southeastern Conference title.
FAU – The Owls are picked to finish
fifth in Conference USA. Rice is C-USA's preseason pick to win the league.
Rankings:
Florida ranks No. 7 on the
preseason United Soccer Coaches (USC) poll.
It is the 22
nd consecutive Florida appearance in the coaches' association preseason poll and the seventh straight year the Gators open among the nation's top 10. Florida faces seven teams ranked in the United Soccer Coaches preseason top 25.
The Dizney Stadium is the site for four of those matches - No. 2 UCLA (Aug. 31), No. 12 Southern California (Sept. 2), No. 23 Ohio State (Aug. 24) and No. 25 Tennessee (Oct. 4). Florida travels to meet preseason No. 5 South Carolina (Oct. 7), No. 10 Florida State (Sept. 7) and No. 16 Central Florida.
meet preseason No. 5 South Carolina (Oct. 7), No. 10 Florida State (Sept. 7) and No. 16 Central Florida.
Next Up:
Florida begins a seven-match stretch versus teams that advanced to the 2017 NCAA Tournament when No. 23 Ohio State visits next Friday. Match time is 7 p.m. at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
It is Mystery Night. Students will be entered to win a BIG mystery prize. Then stay for the post-match fireworks!
Listen to Kyle Crooks and Matthew Stubbington's call of Friday's match while watching on
SEC Network +.
Ryan Urquhart and Gator alum
Gabby Seiler cover Friday's match for
ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM – also can hear on FloridaGators.com.
Florida will be OSU's third consecutive ranked opponent of this young season. The Buckeyes opened last weekend with a 2-0 loss at No. 3 Duke and dropped a 2-0 decision Sunday at No. 6 North Carolina.
Florida Atlantics (0-2-0, 0-0-0 C-USA) at No. 7 Florida (2-0-0, SEC 0-0-0)
Stadium: Donald R. Dizney Stadium (836)
Weather: 88 degrees, winds SW at 7 mph, 59% humidity
| Goals by Period |
1 |
2 |
|
Total |
| Florida Atlantic |
0 |
2 |
|
2 |
| Florida |
2 |
2 |
|
4 |
Scoring Summary:
Shots: Florida Atlantic 13, Florida 15
Saves: Florida Atlantic 5 (Jennifer Ocampo 5); Florida 7 (
Susi Espinoza 7)
