Big Comeback Just Short: Gator Soccer Loses 4-3 at Georgia

ATHENS, Ga. – A big comeback fell just short as Florida soccer lost 4-3 at Georgia Thursday evening at the Turner Soccer Complex.

Early in the second half, the Gators trailed the Bulldogs 3-0. Gators tied the match with a trio of goals in a 12-minute span. Georgia’s game-winning goal in the 85th minute prevented the third consecutive tie between these two programs.

The seven combined goals is the most in the 37 all-time series between the two programs. The previous high of six goals came in Florida’s 5-1 win at Georgia in 2013.

Thursday’s SEC Scores<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.secsports.com_scores_soccer&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=pqqaIG1SplGcF_HJxeRAjpubJijhbOU7ayy4G-FFdgg&s=-franpwM1kdkVF14TSj0_p6llFfBhiX26c6Cz44FCnI&e= >

Thursday’s Scoring:
Georgia’s first goal came in the eighth minute. The opportunity started when Mollie Belisle
drove end line. Her centering cross was deflected and Daniella Murguia scored on a right-footed shot from the center.

A penalty kick was successfully converted by Madison Haugen at 37:53 to give Georgia a 2-0 halftime lead.

Georgia scored quickly to start the second half. From just above the box, Mollie Belisle played a ball into the path of Daniella Murguia. She took a touch before scoring on an 18-yard strike to the far post at 47:02

Madison Alexander scored her second goal of the season at 52:19. She took the leading pass from Kouri Peace, bringing the ball into the box to just above the penalty spot. Alexander took a touch left and then cut right to hit a right-footed shot to the center.

Freshman Riley Thompson scored her first Gator goal at 61:58. Kit Loferski drove end line and Thompson put in Loferski’s centering pass from 10 yards.

Georgia’s Cecily Stoute was sent off with a red card at 63:23 after she fouled Loferski as she headed toward goal.

On the free kick resulting from the red card, Nicole Vernis’ left-footed shot from 19 yards off tied the match at 64:08. It was Vernis’ first goal of the season.

Georgia retook the lead for good at 84:12 when Belisle headed in the cross from six yards from Murguia.

2021 Records:

Florida (3-10-3, 2-5-1 SEC)

Georgia (11-3-2, 4-2-2 SEC)

Series Records:
Florida leads 30-4-3

Next Up:
Florida begins a two-match homestand to close regular-season SEC action on Sunday versus Louisiana State.

Sunday is Gator Senior Day. The careers of Florida seniors Madison Alexander, Taylor Baksay, Georgia Eaton Collins, Kit Loferski, Shaye Seyffart and Samantha Tobar will be celebrated in a pre-match ceremony.

Sunday, Oct. 24 at Georgia

* Time/Site: Noon ET at Donald R. Dizney Stadium<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_sports_2020_4_4_donald-2Dr-2Ddizney-2Dstadium.aspx&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=pqqaIG1SplGcF_HJxeRAjpubJijhbOU7ayy4G-FFdgg&s=DGRAoDCc-pwU6O6FptsZkC26LBs793H9aZgHywq1FMI&e= > (1,500)
* Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM <https://www.wruf.com/listen-live/>
* Streaming Video: : SEC Network +<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3Df7ca346f-2D45c5-2D4a19-2D8408-2D87494f5d5618&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=pqqaIG1SplGcF_HJxeRAjpubJijhbOU7ayy4G-FFdgg&s=azPH3k_N7N1WDWqdx9-yVEH7weNuiUyw754EnJT5V-A&e= > Kyle Crooks & Matthew Stubbington with the call
* Tickets: Free admission
* Live Stats<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__stats.statbroadcast.com_statmonitr_-3Fid-3D354813&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=pqqaIG1SplGcF_HJxeRAjpubJijhbOU7ayy4G-FFdgg&s=zEmgOwCMUXK-Ewk0arumMarTWaf0Kl5OApJs-2P3pzo&e= >

Florida (3-10-3, 2-5-1 SEC) at Georgia (11-3-2, 4-2-2 SEC)

Stadium: Turner Soccer Complex

Weather: 75 degrees, SW winds at 7 mph, 63% humidity

Goals

Final

Florida

Georgia

Scoring:

7:50

UGA