The Gators (1-3-1) took on the Georgia Bulldogs (2-2-2) after a tough 2-0 defeat to South Carolina earlier this week. They looked to bounce back against a tough opponent in the SEC. It was senior night at Donald R. Dizney Stadium for the Gators, so they were looking to have a winning fixture to keep their good spirits; on top of earning the all important three points.
Florida has not suffered a loss in the SEC while playing at home. The Diz was full of Gator fans for this rivalry game and their support could have been the difference if Florida managed to win in a tight game.
For the first five minutes, Florida controlled possession the most. They got off to a good start by forcing an early foul and moving the Georgia line back into their box. Florida was way more aggressive in lost ball recovery and won back possession almost instantly after losing it. A great start from Florida early on in the half.
Georgia began to settle into their game after a few minutes of solid possession. The Bulldogs found themselves applying more pressure and finding dangerous passing lanes through the Florida midfield. It was nothing super threatening thanks to the stable Florida back line.
The Gators answered with a threatening move of their own but an overweighted pass ends the move as the Georgia defender clears her line.
Florida got their first shot on target with a left-footed strike by Emily Hauser. She won her 50/50 challenge on the outside of the Georgia 18-yard box and delivered a strong shot right into the Georgia goalkeeper.
Georgia answered with a shot on target, too. A lob pass threaded beautifully by a Georgia midfielder found the striker up top with an opportunity to put the Bulldogs up 1-0. Alexa Goldberg made a routine save to keep it level.
Both teams were trying to find opportunities to get ahead. Both defenses were solidified and didn’t allow most shots to be a threat.
That was until a Florida counter attack after a heavy touch gave Lena Bailey the opportunity to put the Gators in front. She takes a touch to the outside and hit the ball sweetly with her right foot. The ball drags across the keepers box but she gathered her hands well and saved the shot. A really bright chance for the Gators is stopped by solid goaltending.
With 10 minutes left, Lena Bailey and Njeri Butts started a threatening counter attack. Butts drove down the left wing and tried using the outside of her foot to find her adjacent attacking partner in the box. The Georgia defense stood tall and spoiled the move for the Gators.
About a minute later, Georgia has a dangerous counter attack of their own. This one was a lot more threatening and if it wasn’t for a heroic block, the Bulldogs would’ve found themselves up at half. It was brilliant defending from Florida to block the shot and clear it as the pressure was high from other attackers.
The game began to really unfold for Florida as they spent majority of the last 10 minutes on the offensive front. The Gators were living in Georgia’s half and applying lots of offensive pressure. It felt like it was only a matter of time for Florida to find the net.
Georgia did have their moment late in the half as a pass across the Florida defensive line put a Bulldog through on goal. It was a 2 on 3 situation and Florida needed a hero. That hero was Madison Jones as she made a beautiful sliding tackle to stop the move right in its track. It was the most textbook tackle from Jones and Florida kept it even.
The half ended level with no goals. It was a great half with lots of opportunity from both sides. Florida was the most threatening as they controlled almost every aspect of the game.
The Gators finished the half with 5 shots, 3 on goal, and 2 corners. The Bulldogs finished the half with 3 shots, 1 on goal, and 1 corner. There was a lot to play for in the second half.
The first 10 minutes of the second half were very uneventful as both teams were flipping possession. It was starting to get chippy between both sets of attackers and defenders who are getting frustrated.
Florida earned their first corner of the half at 63:01 mark. A short corner was taken but the threat was handled by Georgia.
The Bulldogs had their first chance of the game with an incisive pass across the midfield that finds the right winger. She dribbles the ball down the wing and takes a shot which is deflected. The deflected shot pops up off a defender’s knee and Alexa Goldberg reaches the ball using every inch of her body to push it wide for a corner. The Gators handled the corner convincingly.
Georgia continued with their threatening moves. After a possession battle in midfield, Georgia found themselves with another chance to go ahead. A great cut-back pass allowed a prime opportunity for the go-ahead goal but bad contact and a routine save by Goldberg keeps it level.
Florida answered almost instantly after Njeri Butts wins possession back from a blocked shot. She ripped it from outside the box and forced a save from the Georgia keeper. Florida earned a corner from the shot, but it was unsuccessful.
With 73:40 seconds passed, Vera Blom hit a powerful strike that smacked the crossbar. It was the first time this game that a shot was even close to going in, but Georgia gets saved by the post.
After that reality check from Florida, Georgia pushed downfield with a breakaway opportunity.
What would’ve been a one-on-one turned into a phenomenal slide tackle from a Florida defender. This tackle had zero room for error as any contact would’ve awarder Georgia a penalty. It was perfectly timed and perfectly composed from the defender to keep Florida level.
In the last 10 minutes of the second half, both teams took up the intensity.
Florida found the best chance of the game from Vera Blom whose shot was miraculously saved by the Georgia keeper, Jordan Brown. Brown had zero business saving that shot but she did and Florida was stunned. A terrific save from the keeper.
“Credit to Georgia’s keeper because she was outstanding. She was just world class today,” said Florida Head Coach, Samantha Bohon.
Georgia found some good offensive movement with two minutes left in the half, but was spoiled by the linesman who raised his flag for offsides.
Lena Bailey drove down the field with intent. With a minute dwindling the clock, a goal would’ve meant three points.
The buzzer went off and the match ended 0-0. The points were shared here in Gainesville. A frustrating tie as Florida was the better team. Florida ended the second half with 9 shots, 3 on goal, and 4 corners. Georgia finished the second half with 6 shots, 4 on goal, and 3 saves.
Florida moves to (1-3-2) and is still undefeated at home. Georgia moves to (2-2-3).
Senior night didn’t end up being spoiled and the Gators are still in the hunt for the SEC tournament at the end of the season.
“This senior night was just different. We had so much energy, so much effort, so much grit, so much blue collar. So I think we did really well,” said Emilee Hauser
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