Florida opened the 2019 season Friday with 3-2 overtime win at Florida Atlantic. Deanne Rose (facing camera on right) scored twice, including the game-winner in the 96th minute and Cassidy Lindley also added a long goal.
Florida Opens Season with 3-2 OT Win at Florida Atlantic
Deanne Rose's second goal of the evening in the 96th minute gave the Gators the OT win
By: Mary Howard
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Gators needed extended minutes to claim their season opener Friday at Florida Atlantic. Junior Deanne Rose hit the golden winner in the 96th minute to give the Gators a 3-2 overtime win over Florida Atlantic.
Friday's scoring:
Florida Atlantic scored the only goal of the opening half in the 18th minute. The Owls used four passes to bring the ball from midway in their defensive half to find Pernille Velta. She received the ball at the top of the Gator defensive third and drove toward goal to score on a 15-yard right-footed shot.
Florida's Deanne Rose tied the match in the 55th minute off the pass from Kit Loferski. Rose moved past an Owl defender to score from just inside the top of the box.
The Gators celebrate in the rain with Cassidy Lindley after her 35-yard strike at Florida Atlantic.
The rain returned in the second half and the teams played in a heavy shower for the first 10 minutes. Then sophomore Cassidy Lindley's 35-yard right footed strike put the Gators ahead in the 74th minute.
Deanne Rose celebrates with Alex Stubblebine after hitting the golden goal at Florida Atlantic.
A header in the 88th minute by FAU's Mary O'Hara sent the match to overtime. It was the third overtime in the all-time eight match series, with all the OT matches coming in Boca Raton. Halfway through the first overtime, Rose put in the cross from Lindley to give the Gators the overtime win.
Worth Noting
Of Rose's six game-winning goals as a Gator, half are golden goals. She now one of five to share Florida's career golden goals record.
Rose now has five double-goal matches as a Gator.
Lindley also scored against FAU when the two teams met last season in Gainesville.
All three of the meetings between these two teams in Boca Raton have gone to overtime, with the Gators taking the win in each of those road contests.
This is the 19th time in the Gator program's 25-year history that its season-opening lineup contained a freshman. Ava Kuyken of Oxford, England, made her Gator debut in the midfield.
Florida is now 19-4-2 in in season openers, including a 6-3-1 record away from Gainesville.
This was the fifth season opening match since 2006 that went to overtime, as UF is 3-0-2 in OT openers.
The Gators will have different captains for each match this season. The first captains of the season were senior Julia Lester and redshirt junior Parker Roberts
What the Gators Said: It was an extend match with a weather delay and extra minutes. Was it worth the wait?
"It was definitely worth the wait. Have to give credit to FAU. They came out and played hard. They got the equalizer late in the match after we had gone ahead.
"But also give credit to us for showing the character to come back and win in overtime. Certainly not the prettiest match for us, but a good starting point for us to get the season started with a win." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
What happened on the golden goal?
"It was a throw in and it bounced around a few players. Sammie (Betters) got it and the outside back stepped to Sammie so I saw there was a little gap. Sammie played it through the gap and I made that run from the side and basically curled it into the box as hard as I could. If it was low and driven, it could bounce off anyone. Deanne (Rose) got there, caused chaos and it went in."– sophomore Cassidy Lindley
That was quite a goal. What did you see that led to that strike?
"I saw Laney (Steed) had the ball so I tried to get as wide as I could. She played me the ball and I was running at the outside back and saw that she was forcing me wide so I cut in. I heard Vic (Campbell, UF Associate Coach) yell earlier to shoot so I just shot it and hoped for the best.
"I didn't realize where I was on the field. I looked down at the ball, up at the goal and then back at the ball. I don't remember a goal I've had from longer distance." – sophomore Cassidy Lindley
Next Up:
Florida begins a four-match road stretch versus teams among the United Soccer Coaches' preseason top-25 this Sunday at No. 18 South Florida. Match time is 6 p.m. at the Corbett Soccer Stadium.
South Florida is picked to successfully defend its American Athletics Conference title in 2019. The Bulls opened the season Thursday with a 2-1 home win over Auburn.
Florida (1-0-0, SEC 0-0-0) at Florida Atlantic (0-1-0, 0-0-0 C-USA)
Stadium: FAU Soccer Complex (882)
Weather: 81 degrees, winds SE at 6 mph, 82% humidity
