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Although the Gators set a season high with 24 fouls, they were still able to come out of the Diz with a draw.

A scoreless 110 minute match on Sunday night would put the Gators at 1-5-3 and the Osprey at 5-1-1 in 2021.

The match kicked off just as the rain cleared up, yet it’s presence would still be felt. The field condition made offense hard to come by as players tried to find their footing on the wet grass. 

Junior Alivia Gonzalez found the ball and a chance thirteen minutes into the match. She would take off on a fast break on the left side of the field. Hesitant on whether to pass it or not, she was a step too late as she went with a pass that would end up in the arms of the opposing goalie. 

The Gators got another opportunity in the 28th minute when a ball sent upfield found graduate Kit Loferski. Loferski would cross it to junior Kouri Peace who set up to take the team’s first and only shot of the half. UNF goalkeeper Mercedes Snap would make the save. 

As second half play began, the rain returned and tension rose. Florida was constantly penalized causing a reaction from the bench. In the 58th minute, the referee would charge the Florida bench with a yellow card for complaining about a no call. 

“I thought it was a penalty. I wanted our team to know that I have their back,” Amato said in regards to the yellow card. “I thought Kit earned the penalty… and [the referee] didn’t give it. That’s his view of it and we respect that, but in the moment I wanted to make sure that I defended the team. He yellow carded me for that and I deserved it.”

No goals would be scored in regulation, sending the Gators to overtime for their second straight match and fourth of the year (0-1-2 in the previous three matches).

Twenty extra minutes would not be enough for either side to find the back of the net, ending the game in a tie. However, coach Amato sees a bright side in playing multiple overtime matches.

“It gives us extra reps. It helps us get a little fitter and it makes us harder in terms of being at a high and competitive intensity level,” coach claimed. “I think that’s going to help us. As the season goes on, it can be a grind in conference play. Our goal is to make the conference tournament and you’re going to be in overtime games. These moments we’ll be able to refer to.”

Florida will face Kentucky at Donald R. Dizney Stadium Thursday at 6:30 p.m for their SEC home opener.