Stillwater, OK- The #5 Florida Gators soccer team traveled to Oklahoma to face the Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Sunday. The Gators won by a score of 7-2 with all the damage being done in the second half.
Oklahoma State played a 5-3-2 alignment for the first time this season and the Gators seemed to be slowed down by the change. The Cowgirls managed to earn more corners than the Gators before intermission, 4-1.
The second half was the exact opposite. Within ten minutes of play Florida had seized a 3-0 lead. In the 48th minute sophomore Melanie Monteagudo scored to put Florida ahead. Five minutes later senior Savannah Jordan scored from just outside the 18-yard box. In the 56th minute, Monteagudo capitalized on a misplayed ball by Oklahoma State goalkeeper, Michela Ongaro.
Oklahoma State got one back in the 64th minute when Courtney Dike scored off a pass from Jaci Jones. However, the Cowgirls momentum was short-lived as freshman Kit Loferski scored her first career goal to put Florida back up by three. Four minutes later Jordan scored her second of the game to put Florida on top 5-1. The goal was Jordan’s 71st of her career, more on that in a bit.
Oklahoma State scored their second goal when Haley Woodard put it past Gator keeper Kaylan Marckese. Florida scored again in the 80th minute. Mayra Pelayo scored off a free kick after OSU’s Elise Hawn was ejected with a red card just outside the 18-yard box. Pelayo scored again in the 88th minute against the shorthanded Cowgirls to make it 7-2.
Marckese made six saves, and Florida outshot OSU 12-10. Monteagudo and Courtney Douglas received yellow cards in the final ten minutes of regulation.
For Florida, seven second half goals represent the most the Gators have scored in one half in program history.
Jordan scored her 71st career goal which put her into a tie for second all-time in program history. Andi Landers also recorded 71 from 1997-2001.
Up next: Florida (4-1) starts SEC play on Thursday (September 8) at Kentucky. The Wildcats are 1-2-1 this season. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.
(Photo Credit: Bruce Waterfield, OSU Athletics)