Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A late goal gave Vanderbilt a 2-1 win over Florida soccer Sunday afternoon at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium. The match was the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
 
Sunday's Scoring:
A 30-yard shot in the 13^th minute gave Vanderbilt the only goal of the opening half. Kaylann Boyd's right-footed strike hit the far post and kicked it for her fifth goal of the season.
 
Senior Laís Araujo's goal in the 78^th minute tied the match. The play started just wide of the VU box with Melanie Monteagudo's pass finding Madison Alexander at the top of the box. Alexander touched the ball up to Deanne Rose above the VU box. The ball she sent ahead caught the foot of Araujo as she moved into the box. Araujo headed toward goal, avoided a defender and then sent a right-footed angled shot to the far post.
 
Vanderbilt got the game-winner in the 88^th minute. The play started with a corner kick. Caroline Saltmarsh sent the clearance ahead to Paola Ellis who put it in from five yards.


 
To Note:

• Sunday's result was Vanderbilt's first win over Florida since the Commodores claimed a 2-0 win on Sept. 14, 1997. Between VU's 1997 regular-season win and today, VU had made 10 winless trips to Gainesville.
• Florida is now 18-5-1 in SEC openers. The last Gator loss in a season opener came in 2015 (2-1 to Texas A&M)
• Araujo's goal ends Florida's scoreless streak at 677 minutes and 14 seconds. The previous record of 315 scoreless minutes came in the 1995 season.
• Lightning in the area delayed the start of today's match by just over an hour.

 
What the Gators Said:
On today's match:
"It was a tough ending, especially on set pieces. We have spent a lot time defending set pieces; there was bit of a lapse there. Credit to Vanderbilt, they took advantage of it.
 
"It was nice putting a goal in the back of net. Hopefully that gives us some confidence moving forward." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
 
Do you think today was a step in the right direction for the team?
"When you have not scored a goal in how many games it has been, and you score a goal, I think it's a step in the right direction. We have been dealt the hand we have dealt, and it is what is. We are going to keep getting up and fighting. I am not quitting on this team and I do not expect any of our players to either." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
 
On the team's outlook:
"Obviously we are disappointed conceding so late in the game, but we are all positive to carry on working hard together. We got the goal now so, moving forward; we have got goals in us and next game we're going to work to win" – freshman defender Georgia Eaton-Collins
 
On today's match:
"We are working hard. We are doing our best every game and every practice. We keep on going hard; we are positive and we know what is coming. We are getting more shots now; we have to keep on trying and trying. The fans are getting more excited. It's going to come. We are staying positive and we hope next game we are going to win" – senior midfielder Laís Araujo
 
2018 Records:
Florida: 2-6-1, 0-1 SEC
Vanderbilt: 8-1, 1-0 SEC
 
Series Record:
Florida leads 26-3-1.
 
Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida took third in the 2017 SEC regular-season standings. Vanderbilt was fourth in the 2018 SEC standings.
 
Florida – The SEC coaches picked the Gators to win the 2018 Southeastern Conference title.
 
Vanderbilt – The Commodores are picked to finish ninth in 2018 SEC standings.
 
Next Up:
Florida's first SEC road match is Thursday at Kentucky. Match time is 7:30 p.m. at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex and tickets range in from $8-5.
 
Kentucky opened SEC play with a 1-0 loss Thursday at Missouri. UK (4-5, 0-1 SEC) plays at Lipscomb tonight.
 
Follow Thursday's match:
                SEC Network +
                GatorVision (audio)
                Live Stats
 
Vanderbilt (8-1, 1-0 SEC) at Florida (2-6-1, 0-1 SEC)
Donald R. Dizney Stadium (457)
Weather: 90 degrees, winds SW 9 mph, 64% humidity
 

Goals by Period	1	2	Total
Vanderbilt	1	1	2
Florida	0	1	1

 
Scoring Summary:

No.	Time	Team	Goal Scorer	Assist	Description
1.	12:55	VU	Kaylann Boyd		30yd shot – hits post and kicks in
2.	77:40	UF	Laís Araujo	Deanne Rose	15yd angled shot
3.	87:19	VU	Paola Ellis	Caroline Saltmarsh	5yd

 
Shots: VU 6, UF 12
Saves: VU 4 (Taiana Tolleson – 1; Lauren Demarchi -3); UF 1 (Kaylan Marckese 1)