GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 5 Gator soccer lost 1-0 to Ohio State Friday evening at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
 
The two teams have met only twice. The Buckeyes also won the first meeting, 1-0, when the two teams met in Columbus for the second match of the 2015 season.
 

Friday's scoring:
Ohio State scored its first goal of the season in the 56^th minute. Kayla Fischer brought the ball through the Florida half. About midway into the box, Fischer's left-footed shot scored at the far corner.
 
The Buckeyes looked to have a goal in the opening half, but junior Sammie Betters was at the post to clear Fischer's first shot of the match in the 18^th minute.
 
The Gators had chances, registering 13 shots for the match. But the Buckeyes were able to get the needed blocks, stops or deflections.
 
Records:
Florida: 2-1-0, 0-0 SEC
Ohio State: 1-2-0, 0-0 Big Ten
 
What the Gators Said:
What were some keys tonight?
"We had a lot of really good looks. I think where the game was won and lost was in the midfield. We have to do a little better job there, pressing them a little harder. Putting on a little more defensive pressure. Because when we did that, our offense was generated from that." –Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
 
What are you going to work on in practice?
"We always work on finishing. It's a game of inches sometimes. Credit to Ohio State for blocking some shots, for having some deflections. They did a good job of keeping the ball out of the net.
 
"One game isn't going to define us. We just have to learn and move on." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
 
Tough game, talk about how they battled.
"It's never easy to lose, we were just talking about that. But it's kind of like what's next is our response. Obviously that was a tough game and they were the better team tonight.  Obviously you hope to play your best every time, sometimes that doesn't happen. So I think we just have to learn from that." – junior defender Parker Roberts
 
On going on the road for the first time:
"I think playing in a new atmosphere; it will toughen us up too. We don't always get to play at home so I think it will be good to see a new environment." – junior defender Parker Roberts
 
On a tough loss tonight:
"They are a good team, obviously. Obviously, we hope our passing is a lot better. But moving forward we now know what to fix." – senior defender Rachelle Smith
 
It came down to the end, can you talk about what made the difference.
 "It was a tough one, all credit to Ohio State. Every time we play them its trouble. It was a tough one. We both battled to the end. I think we kind of pulled it together in the second half, but just couldn't get that final pass, that final finish." – senior midfielder Sarah Troccoli
 
Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida took third in the 2017 SEC regular-season standings. Ohio State won the 2017 Big Ten title.
 
Florida – The SEC coaches picked the Gators to win the 2018 Southeastern Conference title.
 
OSU – The Buckeyes are picked to finish second in the Big Ten.  Penn State is the preseason pick to win the league.
 
Rankings:
Florida ranks No. 5 on the Aug. 21 United Soccer Coaches poll.
 
Next Up:
Florida continues play versus defending conference champions Sunday. The Gators' first road match of the season is at 2017 Big 12 champ Oklahoma State. Sunday's match time is 1:30 p.m. ET.
 
Listen to Kyle Crooks call of the match on ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM. There is no live video stream for Sunday's match.
 
Ohio State (1-2-0, 0-0-0 Big Ten) at No. 5 Florida (2-1-0, SEC 0-0-0)
Stadium: Donald R. Dizney Stadium (972)
Weather: 81 degrees, winds ENE at 6 mph, 76% humidity
 

Goals by Period	1	2		Total
Ohio State	0	1		1
Florida	0	0		0

 
Scoring Summary:

No.	Time	Team	Goal Scorer	Assist	Description
1.	55:12	OSU	Kayla Fischer		6 yard shot to far corner

 
Shots: Ohio State 9, Florida 13
Saves: Ohio State 4 (Devon Kerr 4; Florida 4 (Kaylan Marckese 3, TEAM 1)