Photo Credit: Matt Stamey/UAA Communications.

Florida Soccer Falls On Road At Auburn

The Florida soccer team arrived at Auburn with the mission of improving what went wrong in their last game against the FSU Seminoles, in which they lost 2-0. The Gators improved and were the dominant team throughout the entire game, but could not win the game. The Auburn Tigers upset the Gators by beating them 1-0.

After Kristen Cardano got injured against the Seminoles, the Gators had to make some changes in the starting lineup. Parker Roberts played as the center back alongside Rachelle Smith. Roberts provided the same depth, defensive resilience and passing vision as Cardano usually provides. She offered a lot of varieties when creating build-ups from the back; Roberts constantly found her teammates up front by sending both short and long passes to different zones on the pitch.

Tess Sapone played alongside Briana Solis on the center-midfield line. Sapone did great at providing quick fluidity to the ball movement. Forwards like Mayra Pelayo and Deanne Rose benefited from Sapone and Solis’s vision. They approached the gaps between the rival defenders perfectly. Rose and Pelayo exploited the spaces and beat their marks in the last third several times.

Florida’s offensive and defensive rhythm during the first half – and practically the whole second half – was excellent. Quick and fluid offensive transitions that ended up as clear chances in their rival’s net; high pressure and good anticipation at recovering the ball on their rival’s last third; variety at switching the attacking routs through both the wings and interiors.

Photo credit: Matt Stamey/UAA Communications.

The Second Half Was a Déjà Vu for Florida

Entering the second half, it seemed clear that the Gators were displaying one of their best performances showed this season. The Gators were constantly creating good offensive opportunities and seemed confident at controlling the ball and spaces. But it did transform into goals mainly because of the fantastic performance of Tiger goalie and captain Sarah Le Beau. The Gators ended up outshooting their opponents 14 (seven on target) to five.

But as it happened in the last meeting between these two teams during last season’s NCAA Tournament, a well executed counter-attack gave the victory to Auburn. In the 53rd minute, Alyssa Malonson sent a long pass from the left wing of the midfield line to Kristen Dodson. Dodson received the ball and split her rival defenders on the run to find enough space and shooting angle to score the goal.

Florida has now been shut out in three games this season.  The Gators will be back in Gainesville on Thursday when they will be facing SEC rival Kentucky at 6 p.m.

About Jose Sanchez

Journalism student at the University of Florida. Venezuelan and future sports journalist.

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

NCAA Tournament Features Eight SEC Teams

As the NCAA Tournament bracket was unveiled Sunday evening, SEC officials undoubtedly looked on with …