Florida and South Florida Soccer Tie 0-0 2OT

Saturday, February 27

Gainesville, FL

6 PM

Florida Gators

3-7-2,1-6-1

USF - Senior Day

2-0-1

South Florida

Florida

Madison Alexander shared the Florida lead with three shots Saturday in the scoreless tie versus South Florida.

Florida and South Florida Soccer Tie 0-0 2OT

Saturday, February 27, 2021 | Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Mary Howard

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida and South Florida soccer played to a scoreless tie on a perfect Saturday evening at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium. It was the second tie in the nine-match all-time series.

Opportunities to score were there for both teams. USF's Sydney Nasello hit the crossbar in the 10^th minute. Midway through the opening half, UF Susi Espinoza made a diving save on Meghan Cavanaugh's shot.

In the 57^th minute, freshman Beata Olsson's cross was headed by senior Madison Alexander but the shot was high. Alexander had another opportunity less than a minute later, but her hard shot from the left wing was saved by USF's Sydney Martinez.

Both goalkeepers recorded three saves. It was Florida's first shutout of the season and USF's third.

Florida played the final 36 minutes a man-down after sophomore Cameron Hall received her second yellow card of the match. It was a hard-fought match, with UF edging USF 20-18 in fouls. Six yellow cards (five to UF) were shown Saturday.

🐊⚽️ Senior Day ends with a 0⃣-0⃣ double OT tie with USF.

More ➡️ https://t.co/SQ4RqPjaDA #GoGators pic.twitter.com/oVJmL4v9wM
— Gators Soccer (@GatorsSoccer) February 28, 2021

Senior Day:
Saturday was Gator Soccer Senior Day. Florida celebrated the careers eight players in a pre-match ceremony:

National Rankings:
South Florida currently ranks No. 18 by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Records:
Florida: 3-7-2, 1-6-1 SEC
USF: 2-0-1, 1-0 AAC

All-Time Series Record:
Florida leads 6-1-2

What the Gators Said:
After tonight's result:
"The story of the match was our ability to stay disciplined and stay focused, especially when we went down to 10 players. We really had to absorb some pressure and be very disciplined in what we were doing defensively and hope to counter out of that.

"It is always hard in our sport to get excited about a draw. But what we are really excited about is the shutout. We've been searching for an elusive shutout for quite some time. To get a shutout with 10 people, that's not easy to do." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh

Tonight's result:
"I'm really proud of the team getting the shutout. That is something we've been focusing on this entire this spring - getting everyone from front to back to defend as a unit. To do that with a man-down was impressive so that was a good way to finish the game." – senior Madison Alexander.

On Senior Day:
"I'm not really an emotional person but deep down it was emotional. I think everyone was playing for each other. This night was dedicated to the seniors so it was really special." – senior Madison Alexander

Next Up:
Play versus in-state competition continues when No. 1 Florida State comes to the Dizney Stadium for an exhibition match. That event begins at 3 p.m. and admission is free but capped at 368 to ensure social distancing.

South Florida (2-0-1) vs Florida (3-7-2)
Attendance: 368
Stadium: Donald R. Dizney Stadium Gainesville, FL
Weather: Clear, 81F

Goals by Period	1	2	OT	OT2	Total
South Florida	0	0	0	0	0
Florida	0	0	0	0	0

Shots: South Florida 13, Florida 7
Saves: South Florida 3 (Sydney Martinez 3) , Florida 3 (Susi Espinoza 3)