GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida is in the middle of a three-match stretch versus United Soccer Coaches' top-10 teams when it plays host to No. 7 Southern California. Sunday's action begins 6 p.m. at the
Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Admission is free for all Gator regular-season home action.
Match Promotions:
Saluting Those Who Serve – all members of the armed services and first responders are recognized
Autographs – the Gators sign autographs post-match
Watch the Player, Meet the Person – Coach
Becky Burleigh and select Gator players meet with youth for a post-match talk
Here's how to follow the Gators:
Listen to Kyle Crooks and Matthew Stubbington's call of Sunday's match while watching on
SEC Network + or listen on
FloridaGators.com.
UF's Last Match:
In Friday's action, Florida played No. 2 UCLA to a scoreless tie. The Bruins took a 17-5 advantage in shots. Florida did have some dangerous looks, with one of the most promising coming 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 registered its first shutout of 2018 in its first match versus a top-10 team. Senior goalkeeper
Kaylan Marckese turned in a career-high eight saves and the shutout was No. 23 for Marckese (four away from equaling UF career record).
About the Trojans:
These two teams last met in 2007 NCAA Sweet 16 play, with USC taking a 1-0 win in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC went on to win that season's NCAA title. The Trojans and No. 4 Florida State played to a scoreless tie Friday in Tallahassee. Other 2018 results for USC include wins versus UC Davis (4-0), UC Irvine (1-0) and Cal Poly (6-1).
Two Trojans are among the 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List - sophomore Savannah DeMelo and senior Ally Prisock.
USC Head Coach Keidane McAlpine is in his fifth season. The Trojans won the program's second NCAA title in 2016.
Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida took third in the 2017 SEC regular-season standings. USC was third in the 2017 Pac-12 standings.
Florida – The
SEC coaches picked the Gators to win the 2018 Southeastern Conference title.
USC – The Trojans are picked to finish
third 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 USC is No. 7.
