ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Southeastern Conference Soccer Tournament play concluded for Florida Thursday with a 3-1 loss to No. 6 Arkansas in semifinal action at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
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The Gators outshot the Razorbacks 20-9, including a 9-6 shots-on-goal advantage, but couldn't find the scoring touch in Thursday's run of play.
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Thursday's scoring:
Arkansas scored the only goal of the opening half off a corner kick. The ball sent by Cara Young bounced just above the six-yard box. Stefani Doyle's left-footed shot on the volley scored at the near post upper slot at 40:04.
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The SEC Freshman of the Year put the Razorbacks ahead 2-0 in the 59
th minute. Anna Podojil received the square ball from Tori Cannata at the top of the box and scored on a 19-yard right-footed shot to the upper far corner.
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A penalty kick was awarded when Florida's
Sammie Betters was fouled by Podojil on a drive along the end line. Fellow senior
Vanessa Kara successfully converted the penalty kick to cut the lead to 2-1 in the 63rd minute.
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The match's final goal resulted with Podojil stepped in front of a pass between the Gator backline and then scored on a 25-yard shot to the far post in the 78
th minute.
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Worth Noting:
- Kara's penalty kick pushed her team-leading goals total to 10. It is the 20th time in the program's 25 year history that at least one Gator scored 10 or more goals in a season.
- Arkansas' goalkeeper Katie Lund's eight saves today equaled her season-high in a regulation match.
- Florida was looking for its 18th spot in the SEC Tournament final. This is the second consecutive year Arkansas defeated UF in the SEC Tournament semifinal round.
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Records:
Florida: 11-8-1, 6-3-1 SEC
Arkansas: 16-2-2, 8-1-1 SEC
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What the Becky Burleigh Said:
On team's performance tonight:
"I was actually happy with the amount of offensive opportunities that we created. Got to have a little more composure and finish those. For sure that would change the complexion of the game." – Florida Head Coach
Becky Burleigh
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NCAA Tournament is next:
"I think we've done enough to get a NCAA bid. It now turns to recovering from this tournament, building some momentum into the week and play where ever they tell us – home or away." – Florida Head Coach
Becky Burleigh
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Next Up:
Florida returns to Gainesville to wait for the announcement of the 64-team field for 2019 NCAA Championships. The field is revealed Monday, Nov. 11 at 4:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
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Florida (11-8-1, 6-3-1 SEC) versus No. 6 Arkansas (16-2-2, 8-1-1 Â SEC)
Stadium: Orange Beach Sportsplex
Weather: 74 degrees, winds SSE at 6 mph, 89% humidity
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Goals by Period |
1 |
2 |
Total |
Florida |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Arkansas |
1 |
2 |
3 |
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Scoring Summary:
No. |
Time |
Team |
Goal Scorer |
Assist |
1. |
40:04 |
UA |
Stefanie Doyle |
Cara Young |
2. |
58:11 |
UA |
Anna Podojil |
|
3. |
62:15 |
UF |
Vanessa Kara |
PK |
4. |
77:53 |
UA |
Anna Podojil |
|
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Shots: Florida 20, Arkansas 9
Saves: Florida 3 (
Susi Espinoza 3) Arkansas 8 (Katie Lund 8)
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Cautions:
Stefani Doye, UA – yellow (77:13); Arkansas bench – yellow (82:20),
Parker Roberts, UF – yellow (83:45)
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