Grit and determination on the defensive end of the ball allowed for the Gators to obtain a point in Tony Amato’s first SEC matchup as the team’s head coach.
A scoreless draw against Vanderbilt (3-4-2) is a step forward for the Gators after a 7-1 loss. Florida now sits at a record of 1-5-2.
SEC play began for the Gators Friday night and coach Amato decided to make some changes. Sophomore Anna DeLeon was not in the starting lineup for the first time all season. Kouri Peace was in at forward rather than Alivia Gonzalez for the first time in three games.
Florida spent a majority of regulation stuck reacting to a game controlled by Vanderbilt. The Commodores took eighteen regulation shots, nine of which came on goal; however, none found the back of the net.
Senior Shayne Seyffart preserved the draw at the 55 minute mark when she made a fantastic block with her heels on the goaline, stopping Abi Brighton’s shot and getting a team save.
Goalkeeper Alexa Goldberg looked to bounce back from a match in which she allowed five goals leading to her being taken out. She did just that, making her presence felt throughout the night with seven saves in regulation, shutting out Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt goalkeeper Kate Devine had an impressive night as well, making a save on all four Gators shots on goal.
Two ten minute halves of overtime would be quite uneventful for both sides. Both sides would take only one shot, neither of which came on goal.
The Gators get just one day of rest before they return to Gainesville to face North Florida for just the second time in team history. The match will take place at Donald R. Disney stadium on Sunday at 6 p.m.