Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Four goals by three Gators gave the University of Florida soccer team a 4-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast Thursday evening at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

 
Thursday's scoring:
Three goals by two scoring their first Gator goals gave Florida a 3-0 halftime lead. Senior Vanessa Kara, who joined the Gators as a graduate transfer from Drexel this season, scored the opening two goals. She one-touched in from 10 yards Cassidy Lindley's cross in the 14^th minute. Then in the 26^th minute, Kara added another goal as she put in the deflection off Madison Alexander's shot.
 
Freshman Kouri Peace finished the first-half scoring in the 37^th minute. Parker Robert's pass found Peace on the left side of the box. Peace took a touch to beat her defender and then took another before scoring on a right-footed shot to the far post.
 
Roberts added a goal of her own in the 71^st minute. She headed in Laney Steed's corner kick to score at the far post.
 
Worth Noting

• Vanessa Kara opened her Gator scoring career with a pair of goals tonight. The last Gator to score multiple goals in their first scoring match for UF was All-American Savannah Jordan in the opening match of her 2013 freshman season.
• Parker Roberts scored her fourth goal as a Gator tonight and her first since the Oct. 5, 2017 win over Missouri. Roberts was sidelined with a Jones fracture of her foot after the opening six matches of the 2018 season.
• This is the fifth solo shutout for Gator goalkeeper Susi Espinoza and her second for 2019.

Records:
Florida: 3-4-0, 0-0-0 SEC
Florida Gulf Coast: 2-3-0, 0-0-0 ASUN
 
Gator Wear Orange to Show Support for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month:
The Gators wore orange Thursday for the team's second annual Pediatric Cancer Awareness match.
 
Last season, Florida fans celebrated with current Gator Lauren Evans by participating in her attempt to set the World Record for selfies (it wasn't as successful as her fight against acute myeloid leukemia. She rang the bell at UF Shands Hospital June 14, 2018 to signal she was cancer free).
 
The day before fall training began, the Gators added eight-year-old Brooke Dunn to the roster. She is the 261^st child fighting cancer to join a collegiate athletic team through the Friends of Jaclyn program. Dunn rang the bell Aug. 10 at Shands to signal she was NED (no evidence of disease) after fighting neuroblastoma since April of 2018.
 
Brooke is the fifth Friends of Jaclyn child currently part of Gator team:
 
Hartley Georges – softball
Sophia Murrilo – volleyball
Jada Turner – lacrosse
Bailey Warner – gymnastics
 
Men's golf adopted Theo Kelly in the spring of 2019 through the Team IMPACT and Golf Fights Cancer organizations.

What the Gators Said:
What the team did right tonight:
"I think we connected passes much better. Once we broke the line, we looked forward. I think that really helped. In terms of quality of the play overall, it was much better." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
 
On team's performance tonight:
"To get a shutout and get four on the scoresheet was something we really needed. That was actually one of our game goals - keep a clean sheet on FGCU pieces and score on a set piece." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
 
On tonight's win:
"It definitely helps out confidence. We actually believed tonight that we were the better team. We wanted to score." – junior Parker Roberts
 
"Our coaches talked to us and said they really believed in us. Belief was what the difference was tonight." – senior Vanessa Kara
 
How does it feel to score first goal?
"To finally get a goal in, it really boosts my confidence and makes me feel very good.
 
"It's been a dream come true [playing at Florida]. I've always wanted to play at a big-time program. To be here on a team with a coach like Becky [Burleigh], who cares so much about character development, that just really aligns with who I am and what I believe about this sport. – freshman Kouri Peace
 
What was the team's attitude tonight?
"We believed in ourselves. Just playing together really helped us get the win." – freshman Kouri Peace
 
On her goal:
"Set pieces are a place I like to contribute because I can challenge people in the air." – junior Parker Roberts
 
On winning on Pediatric Cancer Awareness Night:
"Having Brooke and Addison as a part of our team is really a big deal. Them being the honorary captains, the team breaking out their warm-up shirts, it makes a big difference. Having a little perspective, playing for something bigger than you is amazing." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
 
Next Up:
Florida finishes 2019 regular-season non-conference play Sunday versus Miami. The match begins at 6 p.m. at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium and admission is free.
 
Streaming Video: SEC Network + with Kyle Crooks and Matthew Stubbington calling the action
Radio: GatorVision with Skyler Lebron and Gator alumnae Taylor Burke calling the action
Live Stats
Promotions: Blue Out Game! All fans in attendance are encouraged to wear blue to help us Blue Out The Diz against Miami; T-shirt Giveaway - The first 250 fans in attendance receive a free blue T-shirt upon entry.
 
FGCU (2-3-0, 0-0-0 ASUN) at Florida (3-4-0, 0-0-0 SEC)
Stadium: Donald R. Dizney Stadium (405)
Weather: 85 degrees, winds ENE at 11 mph, 65% humidity
 

Goals by Period	1	2	Total
FGCU	0	0	0
Florida	3	1	4

 
Scoring Summary:

No.	Time	Team	Goal Scorer	Assist
1.	13:37	UF	Vanessa Kara	Cassidy Lindley
2.	25:14	UF	Vanessa Kara	Madison Alexander
3.	36:17	UF	Kouri Peace
4.	70:08	UF	Parker Roberts	Laney Steed

 
Shots: FGCU 5, Florida 17
Saves: FGCU 3 (Melissa Weck 0; Emily McCue 3); Florida 3 (Susi Espinoza 3)
 
Cautions:
Megan Young/FGCU – yellow (60:42)