Gators No. 7 on United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll

Rachelle Smith (right) is one of three returning All-Southeastern Conference player for the 2018 Gators. Florida opens the 2018 season No. 7 on the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll.

Gators No. 7 on United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll

Tuesday, August 7, 2018 | Soccer

Florida appears among the nation's preseason top 10 for the seventh-straight season.

By: Mary Howard

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida starts the 2018 season No. 7 on the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Rankings. This is Florida's seventh straight year among the nation's preseason top 10.

Defending NCAA champion Stanford tops the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. Florida faces seven teams ranked in the United Soccer Coaches preseason top 25. The Donald R. 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.

This is Florida's 22nd consecutive appearance on the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll in the program's 24-year history. The 2017 Gators advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinal Round.

Florida is one of two teams to finish among the nation's top 10 in each of the last four seasons.

About the 2018 Gators:
The 2018 Gator team is made up of 30 players and returns 10 starters from the 2017 NCAA Elite 8 team.

Three 2018 Gators earned All-SEC honors last season – Parker Roberts (first team), Deanne Rose (first) and Rachelle Smith (second). Roberts and Rose also appeared on the 2017 United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region team.

RETURNING STARTERS: 10

Players	Pos	Class	GP/GS	Goals	Assists	Points
Deanne Rose	F	SO	21 - 21	9	3	21
Mayra Pelayo	MF	SR	23 - 22	4	2	10
Sarah Troccoli	MF	SR	24 - 12	4	2	10
Briana Solis	MF	SR	24 - 23	2	6	10
Parker Roberts	MF	RS-JR	24 - 24	3	1	7
Tess Sapone	MF	JR	24 - 9	1	1	3
Rachelle Smith	D	SR	23-23	0	0	0
Julia Lester	D	JR	24-14	0	1	1

	Pos	Class	GP/GS	Min	Goals Against	GAA
Kaylan Marckese	GK	SR	18-18	1646:02	14	.77

12 of the 16 Gators earning points in 2017 return this season. Those not returning - Gabby Seiler (6 goals, 8 assists – 20 points), Cassie Owens (1 – 2 pts), Samantha Chung (1g – 2 pts) and Kristen Cardano (1a – 1pt) – generated 25 points and eight goals.
Carina Baltrip-Reyes transferred from Florida International, joining the Gators for 2018 spring training. The redshirt sophomore defender/midfielder is eligible to compete for the Gators this season.

Gators' Five Freshmen:
This class brings experience from state, national and international levels.

Taylor Baksay played with the Palm Harbor University team that reached the FHSAA 5A semifinal in 2015 and 2018. Earned 2018 Pinellas County Athletic Conference North county first-team honors.
Georgia Eaton-Collins of Ipswich, Suffolk, England, has been a member of England youth national teams at Under-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19. Member of Arsenal's 2017-18 Women's Super League (WSL) development championship team and named team's U-20 Player of the 2017-18 season.
Cassidy Lindley was the 2017 West Most Valuable Player and named to Best XI at 2017 High School All-American Game, held in Orlando Dec. 2. Attended February's U.S. U-18 camp in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
Mary Peach of Lakeland played with Lakeland Christian which reached the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) final site since starting as a seventh grader. Member of Orlando City 99/00 ESNL (Elite Clubs National League).
Samantha Tobar played with Boca United FC. Boca competed in ECNL Southeast PDP. Played with Douglas High School until senior year when then focused on playing with Boca United.

INCOMING FRESHMEN: 5

Name	Pos	High School (Club Team)
Taylor Baksay	Forward	Palm Harbor, Fla. (TBU ECNL 99/00)
Georgia Eaton-Collins	Defender	Ipswich, Suffolk, England (Arsenal)
Cassidy Lindley	Midfielder	Carmel, Ind. (Indiana Fire Academy)
Mary Peace	Forward	Lakeland, Fla. (Orlando City)
Samantha Tobar	Forward	Parkland, Fla. (Boca United)

The Schedule
Eleven teams among the Gators' 18-match schedule advanced to 2017 NCAA play.

Advanced to 2017 NCAA Tournament
First Round	Team	2018 meeting	Time
Aug. 24	Ohio State	Gainesville, Fla.	7 p.m.
Sept. 9	Central Florida	Orlando, Fla.	6 p.m.
Oct. 14	Alabama (ESPNU)	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	5 p.m.
Oct. 25	Arkansas	Gainesville, Fla.	6:30 p.m.

Second Round
Aug. 26	Oklahoma State	Stillwater, Okla.	2 p.m.
Sept. 2	Southern California	Gainesville, Fla.	6 p.m.
Sept. 16	Vanderbilt (SEC Network)	Gainesville, Fla.	3 p.m.
Oct. 4	Tennessee	Gainesville, Fla.	6:30 p.m.

Round of 16
Sept. 7	Florida State	Tallahassee, Fla.	7 p.m.

Semifinal
Oct. 7	South Carolina (SEC Network)	Columbia, S.C.	3 p.m.

Championship
Aug. 31	UCLA	Gainesville, Fla.	7 p.m.

The Donald R. Dizney Stadium is the permanent site for all Gator soccer home action. Admission is free for all regular-season Gator soccer matches.

2018 Gator Soccer Schedule
2018 Gator Soccer Roster