Florida soccer has made a habit of taking down some of the nation’s best this season, including a pair of top-five opponents. Lena Bailey scored the game-winning goal against then-No. 5 Alabama with 93 seconds remaining last Thursday, adding another statement win to the Gators’ résumé against ranked competition after upending Florida State on Aug. 23.
One week later, on the road against another ranked SEC opponent, Florida fell flat in pulling of a second straight upset.
The Gators (6-5-3, 2-3-2 SEC) fell 3-0 to No. 2 Vanderbilt (13-0-1, 6-0-1 SEC) on Thursday night in Nashville, surrendering three first-half goals while managing a season-low seven shots. The unbeaten Commodores strengthened their hold on the top of the SEC standings, while Florida remained on the edge of tournament qualification with eight conference points.
“They are one of the top teams in the country,” Gators coach Nick Zimmerman said. “They are a group that brought back a huge part of the team that won the SEC Tournament title and went to the Elite Eight.”
Vanderbilt forward Sydney Watts tested Florida’s defense less than a minute into the match. Watts released a quick, low shot toward the bottom center, but Jayden Emmanuel made the save.
Vanderbilt threatened again in the 10th minute, when Emmanuel rose to meet the Commodores’ first corner. While she was airborne, Vanderbilt’s Margo Matula collided with Emmanuel, knocking the ball out of her hands. Matula tucked away the loose ball in front of the net for what could have been the opener.
Florida appealed for a foul on Emmanuel, and a video review disallowed Matula’s goal. The referee awarded the Gators a free kick inside their penalty area.
Another run of controlled play by Vanderbilt in the 32nd minute set up Reagan Pentz at the top of the box. Pentz unleashed a first-time shot that Emmanuel saved comfortably.
Vanderbilt appeared to take the lead on its next attack when Watts beat Emmanuel with a far-post finish. However, another video review disallowed the goal after a foul by Lena Tusche in the buildup.
Courtney Jones finally ended Vanderbilt’s misfortune in the 36th minute. Jones released a 25-yard shot past Emmanuel’s gloves, putting the Commodores ahead 1-0.
Watts doubled Vanderbilt’s advantage 33 seconds later. The SEC’s leading goal scorer (six goals in seven matches) tucked away a near-post finish just inside the penalty area.
The Gators attempted a response in their next possession. Adia Symmonds beat one defender with a feint and took Florida’s first shot on goal, but Vanderbilt goalkeeper Alexa Gianoplus made a diving save.
Vanderbilt extended its lead to three in the 41st minute. Victoria Pugh’s first touch of the game sent the ball into the top corner and beat Emmanuel. The Gators’ chances of a comeback continued to thin as they entered halftime.
Vanderbilt led 3-0 at the break, outshooting Florida 8-2 and forcing three saves from Emmanuel. The Commodores entered the match averaging 3.38 goals per game.
Mia Hebert nearly added Vanderbilt’s fourth goal in the 58th minute, but the assistant referee ruled her flicked header offside.
Emmanuel finished with five saves after 76 minutes of action. Redshirt junior Paloma Pena checked in for her a few plays later. It was Pena’s first appearance for Florida since she started and played 44 minutes in the Gators’ 3-2 win over Coastal Carolina on Aug. 20.
Florida limited Vanderbilt to five shots in the second half and put up five of its own, two of them on goal. The Commodores closed out their sixth shutout win this season.
The reigning SEC Tournament champions handed Florida its second shutout loss since the Gators dropped a one-goal decision at South Carolina on Sept. 10. While Vanderbilt sits atop the SEC standings with 19 points, Florida remains on the cusp of qualification with eight points.
Florida will travel to Fayetteville on Sunday to face Arkansas in its next SEC match. The Gators will then return home for their final two regular-season games against Auburn and Georgia as they pursue a spot in the SEC Tournament.
“We are proud of the commitment in the second half from the group,” Zimmerman said. “We will use tonight to learn and grow as we prepare to face another very good team on Sunday on the road.”
