FINAL: FLORIDA 1, MISSISSIPPI STATE 0
GAINESVILLE, FL- The Florida Gators defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. The Gators dominated the course of play, registering 22 shots, with 11 being on net.
Mayra Pelayo scored the game winner in the 81st minute. Senior Meggie Dougherty Howard sent a corner kick to the far post, where a Bulldog defender headed it to the left foot of Pelayo. Pelayo then volleyed the ball into the top net. The Gators had numerous near-misses before the goal. Mississippi State goalkeeper Tanya De Souza was credited with nine saves on the afternoon.
Prior to the game Florida honored it’s senior class which has a combined record of 66-17-4. Those honored were:
- Pamela Begic
- Meggie Dougherty Howard
- Savannah Jordan
- Betsy Middleton
- Erika Nelson
- Brooke Sharp
- Liz Slattery
- Valerie Tysinger
Florida improves to 12-4 on the year and 7-3 in SEC play. Mississippi State falls to 6-11 and 1-9. Both teams have one more game before the SEC tournament begins on November 1 in Orange Beach, AL.
Game Summary:
| 1st | 2nd | OT | FINAL | |
| MISSISSIPPI ST | 0 | 0 | X | 0 |
| FLORIDA | 0 | 1 | X | 1 |
Goal Scorers:
- 81st minute: Pelayo (4) from Dougherty Howard
Cautions/Ejections:
- YELLOW CARD: MSU: Coner
Starting Lineups:
| FLORIDA | MISSISSIPPI STATE |
| 0- Solis | 1- De Souza- GK |
| 2- Chung | 4- Harmon |
| 7- Jordan | 5- Carbin |
| 11- Sharp | 7- Eubanks |
| 19- Cardano | 8- Hablett |
| 27- Pelayo | 10- Waldner |
| 28- Dougherty Howard | 13- Smith |
| 31- Marckese (GK) | 18- Robicheaux |
| 38- Seiler | 19- Malone |
| 51- Nelson | 24- Holmes |
| 81- Smith | 25- Mauldin |
What’s Next:
FLORIDA GATORS at MISSOURI TIGERS
OCTOBER 27, 2016 AT 9:00 PM
COLUMBIA, MO.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Network)