Florida Soccer Team Wins SEC Home Opener, Beats Georgia 2-1

The #7 ranked Gator soccer team beat the #22 Georgia Bulldogs in their SEC home opener 2-1 to improve their season with a 7-2 record.

The Gators are now 2-0 to open conference play.

Florida junior Brook Smith drew first blood for the Gators in the 23rd minute off an assist from Lauren Silver. The Bulldogs wouldn’t go away quietly, responding with the equalizer just four minutes later courtesy of Georgia forward Marion Crowder.

In the 72nd minute, Gator forward Savannah Jordan found the back of the net with a tap-in goal from eight yards out. That would be enough for Florida’s second SEC win on the year.

It was a tale of two halves for the Gators. After allowing the Bulldogs to shoot nine shots in the first half, Florida held Georgia to only three shots after intermission.

Additionally, the Gators found themselves taking 10 corner kicks in the second half after only having one corner kick opportunity in the first half.

“Just like we’ve seen a couple of times this year, the scouting report we have on teams don’t match up what they do,” said Florida head coach Becky Burleigh. “And I think a lot of teams are kind of game planning for us. It’s hard for us to game plan until we get into the game to see what they’re going to do. That was a little bit of change on our part – to counteract what they were doing.”

Jordan’s sixth goal of the season proved to be the game-winning goal. The sophomore forced Georgia keeper Louise Hogrell to come off her line for a block attempt but Jordan flicked the ball past the keeper, allowing her to score on an open net.

“Georgia came out high pressured,” said Jordan. “I think our back line did a great job of staying composed. Taylor Burke did a great job in goal of clearing (some balls) that were pretty close. And I think our team just kept possession really well.”

The Gators will continue SEC play on Sunday when they host Missouri at Dizney Stadium at 2:00 p.m.

For audio from the above quotes, click below:

Becky Burleigh talks about the adjustments made during the match.

Savannah Jordan says their defense did a great job against the Bulldogs