Player Short Florida Loses 3-1 at Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Florida soccer lost 3-1 to Alabama Thursday evening to close regular-season road action.

The Gators were a player down for the final hour Thursday when Daviana Vaka was ejected with red card.

Thursday’s Action:
Vaka received a red card in the 29th minute after fouling the Tide’s scoring leader, Gianna Paul, on a goal scoring opportunity, forcing the Gators to play a man down for the remainder of the match.

After a few shots hitting the hardware, the Tide got on the board in the 41st minute. Cameron Silva moved toward the center of the field, touching the ball forward to Melina Rebimbas. She sent the ball to Nedya Sawan just above midpoint of the top of the box. Sawan took a half turn with a touch before scoring on a 18-yard right-footed shot to the upper slot.

After scoring in the final five minutes before halftime, the Tide scored again in the opening five minutes of the final half. Paul put in her SEC leading 11th goal of the season when she one-touched in the ball from eight yards off the pass from Gessica Skorka.

The left-footed shot to the far post by Itala Gemelli in the 55th minute pushed the Tide’s lead out to 3-0. The ball was played across the top of the box by Nadia Ramadan for Gemelli to run down. She took a few touches before scoring from 12 yards.

The first goal of the season for Florida’s Delaney Tauzel in the 85th minute was the final score of the match. Junior Njeri Butts sent the ball from the end line just inside of the box to Tauzel making a run down the middle of the field. Tauzel’s low, right-footed one-touch shot from 16 yards just beat the Tide keeper to score at the corner.

Tauzel had been sidelined for much of the Southeastern Conference season as she was injured at the league opener on Sept. 19. She made her first appearance since the Kentucky match last Friday versus Vanderbilt.

Coach Samantha Bohon Said:
“Getting the ejection early on really shaped the game. We had to go more defensive and try to get to halftime. It was really unfortunate to let that goal in late in the half but it was a quality finish by their player. In the second half, we made two mistakes and they capitalized on it.

“But, our team showed its character and kept fighting down a player and 0-3. I was so pleased to see us put that goal away to reward them for their fighting spirit. Shoot, we had another great look right after that.

“We told our players before the game that we don’t always have the luxury of controlling the results but we can control our effort and attitude. And I appreciate how they kept fighting no matter what!” – Florida Head Coach Samantha Bohon

Records:
Florida: 4-6-6, 1-5-2 SEC
Alabama: 9-4-5, 2-2-5 SEC.

Series Record:
Florida leads 21-3-3

Next Up:
Florida plays host to its final two matches of the regular season, beginning with Sunday’s contest versus Oklahoma.

Oklahoma (8-7-1, 1-6-1 SEC)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 27
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Site: Donald R. Dizney Stadium<https://floridagators.com/sports/2020/4/4/donald-r-dizney-stadium.aspx> (1,500)
Stream: SEC Network<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/4f9794b8-19f2-49f6-8ac7-bf5e48987d79> + with Kyle Crooks and Matthew Stubbington calling the action
Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM/850 AM<https://floridagators.com/watch/?Live=5472&type=Archive> with Ryan Urquhart and Nevada Cullen calling the action
StatBroadcast<https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=532028>
Admission: Free
Promotions: Gators appreciate the great support at The Diz this season. Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day and the first 500 fans receive a Gator soccer scarf! Fans can enter to win a soccer ball autographed by the 2024 Gators.

Florida closes regular-season play on Oct. 30 when Tennessee comes to The Diz for a rescheduled match due to Hurricane Helene.

Tennessee (7-4-4, 2-3-3 SEC)
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 30
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Site: Donald R. Dizney Stadium<https://floridagators.com/sports/2020/4/4/donald-r-dizney-stadium.aspx> (1,500)
Stream: SEC Network<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/7f785d9b-4b6e-4f63-9faa-d73774cd17fb/redirected/true> + with Kyle Crooks and Matthew Stubbington calling the action
Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM/850 AM<https://www.wruf.com/listen-live/> with Sky Lebron and Nevada Cullen calling the action
StatBroadcast<https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=532024>
Admission: Free
Promotions: Gator cooling towels for first 500 fans; It’s Halloween Eve so there will be trick and treat bag with candy available for the kids; enter to win two Florida vs LSU football tickets

Florida (4-6-6, 1-5-2 SEC) at Alabama (9-4-5, 2-2-5 SEC)

Stadium: Alabama Soccer Stadium (972)

Weather: 72 degrees, clear, winds ENE at 1 mph

Goals by Period

Total

Florida

Alabama

Scoring Summary:

No.

Time

Team

Goal Scorer