No. 22 Gators and No. 2 UCLA Play to Scoreless Tie

Friday, August 31

Gainesville, FL

7 PM

Florida Gators

2-2-1

UCLA

2-0-1

OT 3

OT 4

UCLA

Florida

No. 22 Florida and No. 2 UCLA played to a scoreless tie Friday at Dizney Stadium. Rachelle Smith (above) and the rest of the Gators' defensive effort helped Florida earn its first shutout of the 2018.

No. 22 Gators and No. 2 UCLA Play to Scoreless Tie

Friday, August 31, 2018 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery (images by Tim Casey & Courtney Mims)

It was the second consecutive overtime contest between the two programs. Florida won 4-3 OT when the teams met in early 2016 play in Los Angeles.

By: Mary Howard

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 22 Florida soccer and 2017 NCAA runner-up and current No. 2 UCLA played to a scoreless tie on a humid evening Friday at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

The match got off to a late start as an accident on I-75 delayed two of the match officials. The double overtime match added to the late evening.

To Note:

Senior goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese turned in a collegiate-high eight saves Friday. Her previous high of six saves was turned in seven times.
UCLA outshot the Gators 17-5 Friday. Florida's most dangerous opportunity came with 13 minutes remaining in the second half. Sarah Troccoli's ball down the middle of the box found Cassidy Lindley. She moved toward goal but her shot was just wide of the near post.
Lais Araujo also had a great look in the 53^rd minute. Her 20-yard curler just about caught the upper far post corner.
Florida is now 4-4-1 all-time versus a team ranked No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. This is the first time UF has faced the No. 2 team in Gainesville.
The last time Florida played consecutive overtime matches also included UCLA. In 2016 early season action, Florida lost at Stanford 1-0 in overtime and won 4-3 OT at UCLA.
With the shutout, Marckese moves closer to Florida's career shutouts record (27: Taylor Burke and Katie Fraine). Tonight's shutout was the 23^rd for Marckese.
The Bruins were last shutout in 2017 NCAA Semifinal action. Duke and UCLA played to a scoreless tie, with the Bruins advancing with a 4-3 penalty kicks advantage.

What the Gators Said:
Opening Statement:
"We just wanted to come out and really battle and show some improvement from last weekend, and I think we definitely did that. The level of intensity of what we did was high. I really thought we were going to come on the counter and sneak one in against them. Credit to UCLA for keeping us out of the net." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh

On Kaylan Marckese's performance tonight:"She made some good saves. I think that her distribution is a big part of what we do. I think it's good to see her stepping up in these moments. And for her to get a shutout, it's the first shutout we've had this season – and against the number two team in the nation." - – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh

On the match ending in a tie:"Looking at our past weekend, we struggled a lot. We weren't playing the way we're capable of playing. So even we didn't get the win today, we're really happy with the way we improved as a team and how we came together. It was a battle the whole time. Props to UCLA, too. They gave a really hard fight. I think we are happy with our own progress, but obviously it's not the result we wanted." – senior captain Sarah Troccoli

On UCLA's offense:
"They were good. They are really good individually. One on one trying to find their chances. I tried to save them all. They didn't let up. They brought it but I'm proud of our team, especially our defense. They held it down out there." – senior goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese

On the game ending in a tie:"It's better than a loss. Obviously we want the win, but it will come. The goals will come." – senior goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese

Post-Match Interview Video - Becky Burleigh
Post-Match Interview Videos - Sarah Troccoli & Kaylan Marckese

NCAA Title Coaches:
Leading the teams Friday were the first two women to lead their team to a NCAA title.

Florida's Becky Burleigh was the first in 1998 and UCLA's Amanda Cromwell became the second in 2013. In the 36-year history of NCAA Division I soccer, three women have coached the national title team (third is Penn State's Ericha Dambach/2015).

Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida took third in the 2017 SEC regular-season standings. UCLA was second in the 2017 Pac-12 standings.

Florida – The SEC coaches picked the Gators to win the 2018 Southeastern Conference title.

UCLA – The Bruins are picked to finish second in the Pac-12. Defending NCAA champion Stanford is the Pac-12's preseason pick to win the league.

Rankings:
Florida ranks No. 22 on the Aug. 28 United Soccer Coaches (USC) poll and UCLA is No. 2.

Next Up:
Florida continues home play versus top-10 teams Sunday at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium when No. 7 Southern California makes its first visit to Gainesville since 2003. The Trojans tied No. 4 Florida State 0-0 2OT in Tallahassee Friday.

No. 7 Southern California - .Sunday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.

Saluting Those Who Serve – all members of the armed services and first responders honored
Post-match autographs and Coach Burleigh & select players meet with young fans post-match
Free admission at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium

Follow Sunday's match:
SEC Network +
GatorVision.com

No. 2 UCLA (2-0-1, 0-0 Pac-12) at No. 22 Florida (2-2-1, 0-0 SEC)
Stadium: Donald R. Dizney Stadium (658)
Weather: 83 degrees, winds E 6 mph, 71% humidity