UF Soccer: Tennessee Defeats Florida 2-1
Courtesy of University Athletic Association
A goal in each half gave Tennessee a 2-1 win over Florida Friday evening in the Gators’ 2020 home finale at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
Last Sunday in Florida’s 4-2 loss at No. 11 South Carolina, Florida left seven players – and their head coach – in Gainesville due to injuries or COVID-19 protocol. Today, the Gators welcomed back Georgia Eaton-Collins and Ashlyn Kane but were still without Coach Becky Burleigh and five players – Carina Baltrip-Reyes, Ava Kuyken, Kit Loferski, Kouri Peace, and Deanne Rose.
Friday’s scoring:
Tennessee scored in the 27th minute when Claudia Dipasupil stepped in front of a Gator clearance attempt. Dipasupil took a couple of touches toward goal before launching a 25-yard left-footed shot that dipped under the crossbar for her first score of the season.
Jaida Thomas pushed the lead out to 2-0 with her near-post header off Dipasupil’s corner kick in the 70th minute.
Freshman Maddy Rhodes’ far post header off a Parker Roberts corner kick in the 81st minute added to the Gators’ second-half push but UF couldn’t find the equalizer.
Gators had a few opportunities earlier in the match. In the 49th minute, Rhodes shot in the box kicked off the near post. In the 62nd minute, a pass above the box caught Roberts in stride as she made a diagonal run. Her 18-yard shot skimmed just over the crossbar.
This is Florida’s fourth consecutive loss, equaling the program’s longest losing stretch set in 2018 and matched in 2019.
What Becky Burleigh Said:
On strategy going forward:
“Ultimately, we can do tactically what we want to do but I think it comes down just to us being more aggressive in going after the ball.” – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
On Gators scoring chances:
“I just think we have to be more consistent. We did have some good chances for sure and that’s promising, but I think at the same time we gave Tennessee a little bit too many opportunities ourselves. So we have to clean it up on both sides, both defensively and offensively.” – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
On the team’s resilience in comeback:
“I don’t expect this team to ever quit. I don’t think that’s in our DNA. I think that’s a major part of what this team is all about.
“Certainly we are frustrated and disappointed with the results but we always have a choice as to how we respond.” – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
Next Up:
Florida finishes 2020 SEC regular-season play with a pair of road matches.
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Florida at Kentucky
When: 6 p.m. ET / Nov. 6
Site: Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex
Video: SEC Network +
Radio: ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM
Florida at Missouri
When: 2 p.m. ET / Nov. 8
Site: Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium
Video: SEC Network +
Radio: ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM