#8 Florida upsets #1 Stanford 3-2

FINAL: FLORIDA 3, STANFORD 2

GAINESVILLE, FL- The #8 Florida Gators had a matchup with the #1 ranked Stanford Cardinal at Dizney Stadium on Friday. The Gators didn’t disappoint a near capacity crowd topping the Cardinal by a 3-2 score.

Florida faced their first deficit of 2017 when Stanford’s Catarina Macario scored her fourth goal of the year after Gators keeper Susi Espinoza made the initial save in the 25^th minute. Florida fought hard to come back before half with Samantha Chung capitalizing in the 40^th minute.

Florida entered halftime with Stanford tied at one despite being outplayed for much of the half. The second half would prove to be different though as the Gators dominated much of the possession. In the 59^th minute though, Stanford’s Beattie Goad scored to give the Cardinal the lead. Florida’s Gabby Seiler would have an answer in the 79^th minute, heading in a perfect cross by Mayra Pelayo. Momentum was squarely with the Gators, and just minutes later Lais Araujo scored the game winner on a beautiful individual play just outside of the six yard box.

Espinoza played a key part in preserving Florida’s win as she made a career high five saves including a point blank opportunity in the closing moments. Seiler has now scored in all three games this season and was utilized in each position group.

Florida was outshot by Stanford 14-8, but the Gators were awarded one more corner 3-2.

Florida takes on the Syracuse Orange on Sunday in a night game at Dizney Stadium (7 PM start).

TEAM STATS:

Goal Scorers:

• 25^th minute: STAN MACARIO(4)
• 40^th minute: UF CHUNG (1)
• 59^th minute: STAN GOAD (1)
• 79^th minute: UF SEILER (3)
• 82^nd minute: UF ARAUJO (1)

Cautions/Ejections:

• NONE

What’s Next:

Florida Gators vs Syracuse Orange

7:00 PM / August 25, 2017

SEC NETWORK +