No. 20 Gators Soccer Surrenders Lead in 1-1 Draw at FAU
Florida entered FAU Soccer Stadium in Boca Raton on a three-match winning streak that included a 3-1 win against reigning national champion Florida State which moved the Gators to No. 20 in a national poll.
The Gators had outscored opponents 15-7 through four games, including and a 6-0 win against Jacksonville on Thursday.
But FAU slowed Florida’s roll Sunday by producing a 1-1 result.
Florida dominated the first half with six corners, seven shots and constant pressure. However, FAU’s keeper kept the Gators (3-1-1) off the board.
“A lot of credit to FAU. They worked extremely hard and made it very difficult,” said coach Nick Zimmerman postgame. “Their goalkeeper had a career-high 10 saves and came up big for them.”
The Gators finally broke through four minutes into the second half on a goal from Addy Hess. The lead lasted 14 minutes. Goalie Jayden Emmanuel muffed a clearance, FAU (1-2-2) pounced and Hailey Santiago tied it.
It’s Florida’s second straight road game without a win.
The opening whistle spawned a pair of quick chances for Florida. Thirty seconds in, the Gators won back-to-back corners. Hess’ header almost beat FAU goalkeeper Ashley Small and ricocheted off the crossbar.
Zoe Main provided a shot on goal for Florida in the seventh minute. A through ball slipped behind the right flank of Florida Atlantic’s defense allowed Main to get 1-on-1 with Small, who was able to close the angle of Main’s far-post shot to make a crucial save.
The Gators occupied the Owls’ 18-yard box early on. An eighth-minute corner for Florida created a minute-long scramble that led to Lael Hill’s header going over the bar.
Coach Nick Zimmerman’s unrelenting tactical approach was in full effect in the opening 10 minutes, giving FAU no room to breathe on both sides of the field.
Florida Atlantic was yet to test Emmanuel in net through 25 minutes. The Gators knocked on the Owls’ door, but despite two shots on goal and six corners, FAU prevented Florida from grabbing an early goal with pivotal defensive stops in a low block formation. Florida seemed to be doing all the right things, stretching the attack, taking shots and applying pressure on all levels of the pitch.
Zimmerman acknowledged the positive efforts of his squad, despite the burden of facing a tactical conflict throughout the match.
“Proud of our group for how we started both halves and created some very good chances. Toughest thing in fútbol is to break down a team that sits in a low block, and it was one of those games,” said Zimmerman.
FAU finally cracked into the attacking third in the 28th minute, grabbing a corner off of Hannah Jibril’s sliding tackle. The Owls didn’t take advantage of their initial opportunity, however, as Lola Hathorne’s leaping header from the penalty spot rolled comfortably into Emmanuel’s gloves.
In the 40th minute, another window for Florida Atlantic opened with its second corner of the match. The Owls’ set piece was first punched away by Emmanuel, but as it fell to Sydney Neira, her shot was sent wayward and missed the target.
Lena Bailey, who secured her first collegiate brace in Florida’s 6-0 shutout against Jacksonville, fired her first shot of the game just moments after. Following a skillful run past a FAU defender, she ripped a deep attempt that was just off frame from the left post.
Entering the half, both teams showed stout defensive efforts. For the first time this season, Florida was unable to produce a goal in the first half.
That changed for Florida less than four minutes into the second half. A sharp passing sequence by the Gators found Kyra Taylor at the corner of FAU’s 18-yard box. Taylor beat her defender and squared a pass to a wide-open Hess for the bottom-corner finish. After a frustrating five-shot half for Hess, her goal broke the deadlock for Florida.
Emmanuel prevented what could have been Florida Atlantic’s equalizer in the 52nd minute. A loose ball in Florida’s box ended up at Hathorne’s feet, but her point-blank shot was smothered and saved by Emmanuel. It was an attempt similar to the one that Emmanuel had faced against Florida State on Aug. 13, closing down another deadly solo opportunity.
Florida’s lead only lasted 14 minutes. A muffed clearance by Emmanuel was picked up by FAU’s Amelia Hillman, causing Hill to get stranded while tracking back in the swift transition. Santiago took the upper hand of Florida’s blunder, getting in behind and tucked away a near-post finish past Emmanuel.
Santiago was pivotal to the Owls’ offensive production, recording six goals and two assists in 19 starts for FAU last season. Santiago has scored four goals in the last four days, including a hat trick in FAU’s 7-0 rout of Howard on Thursday.
Florida Atlantic’s equalizing goal fired up its offense and created another go-ahead chance in the 68th minute. Neira maneuvered through the box, dribbling around an advancing Emmanuel. With an open-net shot at a difficult angle free for Neira, she let one go off the inside of her foot, but Hill got back in time to make a sliding goal line clearance.
Florida’s attacking prowess pursued 10 minutes later. Mia Gray broke away from two Florida Atlantic defenders and attempted a deep drilling shot that was tipped by Small. The Florida Atlantic goalkeeper came up with two more vital saves, collecting Iori Watanabe’s angled shot near the byline and making a fingertip stop on Taylor’s top-corner attempt.
An onslaught of scoring chances for both teams characterized the remainder of the second half. Florida Atlantic’s last potential attempt at grabbing three points came in crunch time, as Hathorne’s close range header hit the top of the net. Florida was inches away from a game-winner with seconds to go, but was thwarted by the crossbar.
“We will rest and recover and get back to work as we prepare for a very good Youngstown State team on Thursday,” Zimmerman said.
Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Soccer
