GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida soccer opened the 2023 season Thursday with a 2-0 win over East Carolina on a perfect evening at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
Florida controlled the ball much of the opening half. Halftime talk was focused on how to turn those opportunities into goals. The result of that talk showed early in the second half.
Just four minutes into the second half, Florida scored. From just above the endline, sophomore Lauren McCloskey sent a cross to the middle of the box. Madeline Pirrello’s left footed shot scored at the near post. It was Pirrello’s second career goal and McCloskey’s second career assist.
The Gators found another goal late in the half.
In the 83rd minute, freshman Megan Hinnenkamp headed toward endline, earning a penalty kick after being fouled by ECU’s Jazmin Ferguson. Redshirt sophomore Oakley Rasmussen successfully converted the kick for her first collegiate goal.
Notes:
* Florida is now 23-3-3 all-time in home openers. Florida Coach Samantha Bohon also opened home action in her first season with a 2-1 win over South Florida in 2022.
* Megan Hinnenkamp’s start marked the 22nd time in the program’s 29 seasons that a freshman was among the Gators starting lineup. She wasn’t the only newcomer among the Gators starting lineup as transfers Emily Yaple, Lauren Donovan and Daviana Vaka were among the starting 11.
* Florida has scored at least one goal in 27 of its 29 season openers
Records:
Florida: 1-0-0, 0-0-0 SEC
ECU: 0-1-0, 0-0-0 AAC
Series Record:
Florida leads 3-1.
Last time: UF lost 2-1 at ECU to close the 2022 non-conference schedule
What the Gators Said:
On this evening’s winning result:
“We’re really pleased. To be realistic, we had 18 new players and we had 16 days to train. For them to be able to come and put up the product together tonight was really a testament to their hard work on and off the field. We spent a lot of time in film and these ladies have been pros for these last two and a half weeks. I was excited to finally see them get a result because it’s been well deserved. They’ve worked really hard.” – Florida Head Coach Samantha Bohon
On midfield’s depth:
“We’ve got a really strong midfield. We’re actually six deep and all of them could really be starters. So it’s a testament to them because they’re playing their role. They challenge each other. In practice, they really help us set the standard and so we’re excited to be able to add another dimension to our style.” – Florida Head Coach Samantha Bohon
On her goal:
“We thought in the first half we had the ball most of the time, which we definitely did. And every day in practice coaches always say get in the box, get in the box. So I saw Lauren (McCloskey) dribbling down that sideline and 10 times out of 10 Lauren’s gonna get the ball in the box. So I just ran towards the ball and tried to put it in just like coaches teach us.” – Madeline Pirrello
Tonight’s result:
“It feels so good honestly. Having that win, having the shutout like the way we did feels amazing. We played as a unit and secured the two goals was so relieving and satisfying.” – senior Anna DeLeon
“We’ve been saying that this is going to be a new season but to come out and actually prove it really helps build us for Sunday when we have another hard game and especially going into SEC play. There’s no conference like the SEC for the grittiness. So to start off with a good win like that with two goals means a lot to us.” – junior Madeline Pirrello.
Next Up:
Florida continues season-opening home play on Sunday. Maryland opened the 2023 season Thursday with a 0-0 tie at American.
Maryland
Date: Sunday, Aug. 20
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Site: Donald R. Dizney Stadium<https://floridagators.com/sports/2020/4/4/donald-r-dizney-stadium.aspx>
Admission: Free
Promotions: Ted Lasso Night – Get a “Believe” card at the gate to accessorize your Ted Lasso apparel for the costume contest. There is a Ted Lasso trivia contest and goldfish snacks for the kids.
2023 Florida Soccer Home Schedule<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule>
2023 Florida Soccer Promotions<https://floridagators.com/news/2023/8/10/florida-soccer-2023-home-promotions-schedule.aspx>
ECU (0-1, 0-0 AAC) at Florida (1-0-0, SEC 0-0-0)
Stadium: Donald R. Dizney Stadium (472)
Weather: 83 degrees, winds SW at 7 mph
Goals by Period
1
2
Total
ECU
0
0
0
Florida
0
2
2
Scoring Summary:
No.
Time
Team
Goal Scorer
Assist
1.
49:00
UF
Madeline Pirrello
Lauren McCloskey
2.
82:40
UF
Oakley Rasmussen
PK
Shots: ECU 6, Florida 11
Saves: ECU 2 (Maeve English 2), Florida 0 (Alexa Goldberg 0)
Offsides: ECU 4, UF 2
Cautions: 83:52 – ECU Maeve English (yellow)
