Florida Soccer wilts late, Lose In SEC Tourney Final

Going into Sunday, the Florida soccer team had yet to lose when playing with a lead; that trend came to an end at the hands of Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament final. The Aggies overcame a regular season loss to Florida as well as a halftime deficit to knock of the Gators when it mattered most: with a trophy on the line by a 2-1 count.

Just like the previous matchup between these two teams, the Gators got on the board first, with Annie Speese putting one in the back of the net in the first half off of some sweet passing from Pamela Begic and Savannah Jordan. Florida took that lead into halftime looking to be 45 minutes away from an SEC Tournament championship.

It wasn’t to be for the Orange and Blue. Texas A&M took control of the match in the second half, and outwilled the Gators en route to an SEC postseason title. With 33 minutes left in the match Texas A&M’s Shea Groom got the equalizer and turned the tide of the contest.

The Aggies rode that momentum for the rest of the second half, controlling possession and finally breaking through when Liz Keester got on the board for A&M, giving the Aggies the game winner.

Despite the loss, three Gator players received post-tournament honors. Midfielder Havana Solaun, forward Savannah Jordan, and defender Christen Westphal were named to the SEC All-Tournament team after the match.

Texas A&M will now head into the NCAA Tournament with some silverware, and while Florida came out the loser on Sunday, they will have their eyes on a bigger prize: the NCAA title, when the tournament begins November 15th.

The 64 team field for the NCAA Tournament will be announced Monday.