CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Florida soccer used an early second-half goal from freshman Lena Bailey to take a 1-0 win in a weather-shortened match at Charlotte late Thursday afternoon at Transamerica Field. It was the first meeting between Florida and Charlotte.
The match was ended in the 82nd minute due to lightning strikes in the area. It was known before the match Florida had a 9 p.m. return flight Thursday so waiting out the storm wasn’t possible.
Did You Know?
It is the fifth time – and first since 2010 – UF has opened a season unbeaten through the opening six matches.
UF Season Opening Unbeaten Streaks
Year
Opening Unbeaten
W
T
1998
11
11
0
1999
11
11
0
2003
8
8
0
2010
7
6
1
2023
6
4
2
1996
5
5
0
This Afternoon’s Match
After a scoreless opening half, freshman Lena Bailey gave the Gators the lead in the 51st minute. Bailey received the ball just above the box from Oakley Rasmussen. She spun, took a step into the box to shed her defender before scoring on a right-footed shot.
She now shares Florida’s 2023 goals lead (3) with fellow freshman Megan Hinnenkamp.
Florida outshot the 49ers 8-0, with half of the shots on goal. Today’s result is senior goalkeeper Alexa Goldberg’s fourth solo shutout, equaling her season-high set in 2021.
Coach Samantha Bohon Said:
“Anytime you can get a win on the road, that’s a good result. I liked our response from Sunday’s game and think we got better today. We made some adjustments at halftime and I was proud to see how well the team implemented them.
“That was a clinical goal by Lena that came after we had a good amount of productive possession. And, I felt our defense was hard to beat today, holding a talented attacking group to no shots all game.
“We’ll keep working hard and developing as we prepare for a talented FSU squad.” – Florida Soccer Head Coach Samantha Bohon
Records:
Florida: 4-0-2, 0-0-0 SEC
Charlotte: 2-3-1, 0-0-0 AAC
Series Record:
This was the first meeting between Charlotte and Florida.
Next Up:
Florida closes this three match road stretch Sunday at No. 5 Florida State. Both teams enter Sunday’s match unbeaten, as the Seminoles pushed their 2023 record to 4-0 with a 4-0 win Thursday at North Florida.
Sunday’s match airs on the ACC Network with Jenn Hildreth and Lori Lindsey calling the action.
Florida State
Date: Sunday, Sept. 10
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Site: Seminole Soccer Complex <https://seminoles.com/facilities/seminole-soccer-complex/6>
Admission: Free
Florida (4-0-2, SEC 0-0-0) at Charlotte (2-3-1, 0-0 AAC)
Stadium: Transamerica Field (607)
Weather: 90 degrees, winds SW at 7 mph, lightning
Goals by Period
1
20
Total
Florida
0
1
1
Charlotte
0
0
0
Scoring Summary:
No.
Time
Team
Goal Scorer
Assist
1.
50:45
UF
Lena Bailey
Oakley Rasmussen
Shots: Florida 8, Charlotte 0
Saves: Florida 0 (Alexa Goldberg 0); Charlotte 3 (Emma Wakeman 3)
Offsides: UF 1, Charlotte 6
Cautions: None
