GAINESVILLE, Fla -Florida soccer scored four goals and gained three key points in Sunday’s 4-0 win over LSU at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
The Gators’ four goals is a season high and most since their 5-1 win over College of Charleston on Feb. 20 in the extended 2020-21 season.
The three points for today’s win gives Florida 10 for 2021 Southeastern Conference play. Florida entered today’s match in a three-way tie for 10th in the SEC. Any points will aid the Gators as they look to be among the 10 teams advancing to the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala. Play begins on Halloween at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
Sunday’s Scoring:
It seemed appropriate that Florida’s pair of Super Seniors connected for UF’s Senior Day opening goal at 14:01. Kit Loferski sent a lofted cross to the far post. LSU goalkeeper Mollee Swift couldn’t collect it and the ball dropped right at the far post corner. Fifth-year senior Madison Alexander’s touch tucked it over the line to just beat a Tiger defender and Swift.
It was the second consecutive match that Alexander started UF’s scoring as she hit the Gators’ first in Thursday’s 4-3 loss at Georgia. Alexander’s three goals this season have all come in UF’s last four matches.
For the second consecutive match, Florida scored three second-half goals. The 18-minute scoring span started with Loferski bringing the ball down the right side. She sent the ball to Alivia Gonzalez just above the box. Gonzalez took a touch to open up the angle and hit a 17-yard left-footed shot to the far post at 54:17 for her second goal of 2021.
A set play goal was next for Florida in the 62nd minute. Sophomore Sydney Urban’s corner kick to the middle of the box was headed in by freshman Madison Young. It was Young’s first collegiate goal.
After assists on the opening two goals, Loferski scored the afternoon’s final goal off a penalty kick at 71:23. Junior Kouri Peace was fouled in the box, giving Florida its first penalty kick of the season. Loferski successfully converted the shot, which was her first penalty kick of her six seasons with the Gators. The penalty kick extended her team-leading totals for goals (5), assists (3) and points (13).
Today’s result was Florida’s fifth shutout of the season.
Gator Senior Day:
The careers of Florida seniors Madison Alexander, Taylor Baksay, Georgia Eaton Collins, Kit Loferski, Shaye Seyffart and Samantha Tobar were celebrated Sunday in a pre-match ceremony.
2021 Records:
Florida (4-10-3, 3-5-1 SEC)
LSU (10-6, 3-6 SEC)
Series Records:
Florida leads 20-2-2
What the Gators Said:
There seems to have been quite a big turnaround for scoring. What kind of adjustments have been made to start the frenzy of scoring?
“We’ve been chipping away at it all year, and it’s something that we’ve trained from the first training session till now. I think it’s just taking some time to all come together. It wasn’t like we waved a magic wand at halftime against Georgia and we started scoring goals. The hard work of the players in and around the box, day in and day out, just has paid off now in these two games. We have to keep doing that moving forward.” – Florida Head Coach Tony Amato
How about the Gators defense and the shutout?
“We talked at halftime about making sure that we really are solid from the back through the front, denying crosses, blocking shots and picking up runners in the box. Georgia [Eaton-Collins] took a knock and had to go out of the game for a bit and we didn’t let up. Proud of everyone that went back there to hold it down until she could come back in the game. It was really a total team effort from our forwards through to Alexa [Goldberg] and Fran [Faraci] who came into the game, to keep the shutout. – Florida Head Coach Tony Amato
Two assists and a goal today. What are your emotions after this match?
“They’re heightened, that’s for sure. Combination of having a great team day, individual day and it being Senior Day. There’s just a whirlwind of emotions right now. We’re really excited for a great win. Moving forward, it’s a great confidence builder heading into South Carolina on Thursday.” – senior Kit Loferski
Thoughts on Kit Loferski’s performance today as she had a goal and two assists.
“It was great performance that we knew she’s capable of. We’ve seen flashes of that all year long where she’s super dynamic and dangerous. She’s our leading goal scorer and a threat that is on everybody’s scouting report. It all came together for today. I’m glad she stepped up and took the penalty on her Senior Day and found a way to get it in the back of the net.” – Florida Head Coach Tony Amato
What was going through your mind when you sent the ball in on UF’s first goal?
“Madi [Alexander] was right there. She had a similar goal on the back post [versus Missouri]. I think Madi needs to stick there for the rest of the season because she’s gotten two goals in the same exact spot. We love her up there and she’s great. Winning goals doesn’t always have to be pretty.” – senior Kit Loferski
Next Up:
Florida closes regular-season SEC action Thursday with a home match versus South Carolina. The Gamecocks (10-5-1, 5-3-1 SEC) were also 4-0 winners on Sunday, defeating Alabama in Columbia, S.C.
Thursday, Oct. 28 versus South Carolina
* Time/Site: 6:30 p.m. 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=Oigtju0ZSJD1Vf8nksf65YJsZMJ73RuI28INDEhBlsM&s=dlEBtvuFieNNHMDVtZk5GrRvEH-izcmFBYt3aH-peoY&e= > (1,500)
* Radio: GatorVision
* Streaming Video: : SEC Network +<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3D7c6a407a-2D94f7-2D447b-2D8092-2D12ddae85645c&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=Oigtju0ZSJD1Vf8nksf65YJsZMJ73RuI28INDEhBlsM&s=fltx1OuuynCfiIoQA4As61ytiB7z4vJi5GXAeHrOAfI&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-3D354814&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=Oigtju0ZSJD1Vf8nksf65YJsZMJ73RuI28INDEhBlsM&s=rc9d9JFwH8wM7P_skaGmJ_K_9JQU3CLSQku1ISOBzzI&e= >
LSU (10-6, 3-6 SEC) at Florida (4-10-3, 3-5-1 SEC)
Stadium: Donald R. Dizney Stadium (579)
Weather: 82 degrees, ENE winds at 7 mph, 62% humidity
Goals
1
2
Final
LSU
0
0
0
Florida
1
3
4
Scoring:
1.
14:01
UF
Madison Alexander
Kit Loferski
2.
54:17
UF
Alivia Gonzalez
Kit Loferski
3.
61:36
UF
Madison Young
Sydney Urban
4.
71:23
UF
Kit Loferski
PK
Shots: LSU 10, Florida 9
Saves: LSU 5 (Mollee Swift 5), Florida 5 (Alexa Goldberg 3; Francesca Faraci 1; TEAM 1)
Offsides: LSU 1, UF 3
Cautions: Maddy Rhodes, UF – yellow (44:00)
