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It was not easy, but Florida fended off Mizzou’s late surge to win 3-2 and secure their fourth victory in a row.

The Tigers were the first SEC opponent the Gators faced at home, and the physicality of conference play was evident throughout the match and mentioned by the players after the game.

“That’s something were prepared for, we know it’s going to come in the SEC,” said senior Vanessa Kara, “Honestly, it was good for us to get a little uncomfortable now so that we can go into Vanderbilt feeling that we can handle that and pull out a win.”

Summary

First Half

The Gators opened the game looking dangerous, largely through the efforts of Kit Loferski down the wing. She threatened with her movement and crosses but could not find the back of the net.

Instead, in the 19^th minute, Kara scored her sixth goal in four games. A Tiger defender misplayed a routine ball, letting it bounce over her head which put Sammie Betters through on goal. Instead of taking a shot, Betters coolly slid the ball across to an oncoming Kara to put the Gators up 1-0.

Missouri failed to pose a serious threat in the first half. The Gators comfortably went into halftime with the goal lead and a five-to-three shot advantage.

Second Half

Florida doubled their lead just minutes after the break. In the 52^nd minute, Cassidy Lindley delivered a superb through ball to Deanne Rose, who started the second half after being subbed on midway through the first.

Rose weaved past a Mizzou defender and slotted the ball past the keeper for her first goal in over a month. She had missed the last three games due to injury and wasted no time getting back on the scoresheet.

The Tigers did not lie down, though.

In the 65^th minute, junior forward Macy Trujillo pulled one back for the visitors. She was fed in the box by her strike partner Sarah Luebbert and fired a shot past Susi Espinoza to make the game 2-1.

The Gators countered with another goal of their own ten minutes later. Parker Roberts connected with Laney Steed in a slick one-two before releasing a long shot from the top of the box that found the back of the net. Florida led 3-1.

The back-and-forth action continued in the 80^th minute, when Mizzou was awarded a penalty after a sliding Gator challenge in the box was deemed illegal. Luebbert converted from the spot to make the score 3-2 and give the Tigers a chance for a result.

Burleigh mentioned the danger of Luebbert before the game, calling her “one of the best players in the league.” She leads Missouri in assists and is second on the team in goals.

The Gators managed to see out the tense final minutes, though, and secure the victory.

Outlook for the Gators

The Gators now own a 6-4 record and have won their last four games by a combined scoreline of 10-2.

Kara leads the team in goals with six, with a now seemingly healthy Deanne Rose just behind her with four.

Florida now has two wins from two in SEC play, but soon face a tough road test. The team travels to Vanderbilt (8-1), the defending conference champions, on Sunday.