LOS ANGELES, CA- The number six ranked Florida Gators soccer team defeated number fifteen ranked UCLA in overtime by way of a UCLA own goal.
Gators senior forward Savannah Jordan drove down the field in the 96th minute and crossed the ball into the six foot box where it pinged off two UCLA defenders before winding up in the net.
The entire game was a battle between two very good teams. Florida took an early lead as Jordan headed in a cross from freshman Julia Lester in the third minute. UCLA quickly countered with a diving header by Annie Alvarado just two minutes later.
Florida regained the lead in the 17th minute when senior Meggie Dougherty Howard‘s free kick bounced off red shirt junior Gabby Seiler‘s head and deflected off sophomore Sarah Troccoli and into the net.
The second half proved to be even more wild. The Bruins received a penalty kick in the 52nd minute after a hard foul in the box, but Florida sophomore GK Kaylan Marckese came up with the stop. In the 65th minute UCLA’s Jessie Fleming headed in a cross to tie the game. UCLA would take the lead after converting on a second attempted PK in the 69th minite, this one taken by Fleming.
Florida played determined to get the equalizer, and late in the 73rd minute, Jordan was able to head the ball past UCLA keeper Teagan Micah.
Three Gators received yellow cards:
- 69th minute- Samantha Chung
- 72nd minute- Kristen Cardano
- 78th minute- Rachelle Smith
Up next: Florida will travel to Tallahassee to take on rival Florida State. Florida State enters the season ranked number one in the country. The game will take place Friday September 2nd at 7PM.