The Towson University Tigers hosted the Florida Gators in a thrilling and physical game that resulted in a 1-1 draw. The Gators were looking to come back to Gainesville with a win in preparation for their game against Florida State, but they had to get through the 2023 CAA champions first.
The game started off with both teams finding their groove. There were seven throw-ins within the first four minutes of the game as both teams weren’t letting up on the pressure. Early possession was crucial for both teams.
The game started to open up for Towson as a shot by Courtney Butlion testsed the Florida keeper, Alexa Goldberg, with a strike that forced her to make a great save. Towson won the first corner of the game, but nothing came of it.
Possession kept being switched routinely throughout the next 10 minutes of the match. Florida was more aggressive and physical throughout this period. Maybe a little too aggressive, as Florida conceded seven fouls in under ten minutes. Even with the physicality, the Tigers still found ways to apply pressure to the Florida defense with good passing through the midfield and into the final third. They tested Goldberg again with a low-shot to the right of her net, but Goldberg made the save comfortably.
At the 28:22 mark, Florida made a quadruple substitution replacing three forwards and a midfielder. At this point in the match, it seemed like whoever got the first goal was going to be the winner. Florida’s aggressive substitutions made a quick impact by winning Florida their second corner of the game.
The Gators continued to apply pressure looking to open the scoreline. Gators’ defender, Emilee Hauser, found a chance but her shot was blocked by a Tigers defender. The ball then deflected to Florida forward Sophie White, who puts her shot off the mark for a Tigers goal kick.
The first half continued to go back and forth between the two as both teams were trying to create opportunities. The Gators began to settle into their game towards during the last 10 minutes of the half and continued their pursuit to lead the scoring. Norah Abbot and Sophie White both found their shots blocked by brave Towson defenders, which then led to a swift counter attack the other way, but Towson was ultimately was called offsides which stopped their move.
Towson continued the pressure late into the half with a shot by Demi Pierre which was blocked and cleared by the Florida backline. The half ended shortly after.
The first half ended all square. The Gators out shot the Tigers 5-3 and the Tigers had two shots on goal which forced two saves from Goldberg. Florida finished the half with 12 fouls and two yellow cards: Kaela Standish for unsportsmanlike (38:41) and Daviana Vaka for time wasting (44:13).
Both teams made quadruple substitutions at the beginning of the second half. The Gators replaced goalkeeper Alexa Goldberg with Jayden Emmanuel, but the most notable of the eight substitutions that occurred was Lena Bailey coming in for Ryleigh Acosta.
It took Bailey just over a minute and a half to bring the Gators the goal they had been looking for. A dangerous set-piece conceded by the Tigers allowed Emilee Hauser to deliver a cross that found Bailey on her left foot. Bailey took a touch through on goal, put her foot through it, and beat the Towson keeper, Riley Melendez, comfortably. A wonderful strike that was celebrated accordingly by her teammates.
After the goal, it was like a big weight was lifted off of the shoulders of the Gators. The ladies looked more composed and started playing their style of play. Towson wasn’t going to let them get off that easy, though. The Tigers took their aggressiveness up a notch. With constant pressure, Towson found themselves in the final third consistently for three minutes. It earned them two corners, and a shot from Courtney Butlion again, but the shot wasn’t threatening and the Gators got rid of the trouble.
At the 68:54 mark, Florida’s keeper, Emmanuel, makes a challenge and fouls Kale’a Perry, denying her of a goal scoring opportunity. Towson was awarded a penalty. Emmanuel was shown a red card and is dismissed. Alexa Goldberg was substituted for Delaney Tellex.
Perry steps up to the spot for Towson. She took a breath, ran up and guided the ball to the bottom right of the goal. Goldberg dove the same and saved the penalty keeping the Gators a goal ahead. Florida avoided the double whammy and momentum is at an all time high, even with a lady down.
Towson continued to apply a threat following the penalty miss. They earned a corner from the penalty save. The corner leads to three consecutive shots in which two are blocked by scrambling Florida players and the last shot was off target for a Florida goal kick.
The physicality was intense the entire match and it didn’t stop. After the red card, there were seven additional fouls and three yellow cards. Both teams weren’t giving an inch and the tension could be felt through the screen.
With 10 seconds left in the game, the worst case scenario occurs for Florida. What would have been a gritty and rewarding victory, turns into a frustrating draw. Off of a deep free kick, Towson scored a late equalizer courtesy of Maja Hannsson, who slid the ball right into the center of the goal after an unselfish pass from Sophie Thibeault. A missed punch from Goldberg allows the Tigers to Equalize. Towson cheered and Florida dropped their heads as the final whistle blew.
The Gators feel like they deserved the win, the Tigers were ecstatic for a draw. Its was a tough test for Florida, in which they almost passed with flying colors. Even with 10 ladies on the field, Florida looked like the better team for majority of the second half.
With a record of 2-0-3, the Gators are still undefeated heading into their Sunday afternoon game at home against 2023 NCAA champions, Florida State on September 8. It will be a tough game for Samantha Bohon and her lady Gators, but this result showed that they can thrive in a physical, gritty game flow which will be beneficial against FSU.
ChompTalk.com 
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