Gators Soccer Set to Begin SEC Play Tonight Against Missouri

Florida Gators soccer team opens its SEC play at home against the Missouri Tigers at 7 p.m. today.

This is an even matchup, as both teams are 4-1-2 entering Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Last Sunday, the fifth-ranked Florida State Seminoles delivered the Gators their first loss of the season. Missouri, meanwhile, is looking for its third win in a row after beating the Illinois Fighting Illini and Missouri State Bears. Florida is trying to break the Tigers’ four-game win streak in the series.

#SEC opener is Friday at The Diz!

🐊⚽️ 🆚 Missouri 🐯
📍 Dizney Stadium
🕖 7 pmET (gates open at 6)

It's 🐊⚽️ Alumni Weekend. Come celebrate the 1998 NCAA Champion & 2013 SEC Champion soccer team anniversaries!
👕1998 Commemorative Replica Jersey T-Shirt for first 250 fans pic.twitter.com/PIAsaPd24e

— Gators Soccer (@GatorsSoccer) September 14, 2023

Defensive Stance

The Gators have played well defensively, as they have only let up two goals this season. The Seminoles put pressure on Florida’s goal keeper Alexa Goldberg with 10 shots, three of which were on goal. Goldberg played well throughout the game with two saves, but let up a goal in the second half.

The Tigers have also played well on defense, as they have only let up one goal in the last two games. Goal keeper Bella Hollenbach has also recorded nine saves in those same games. Her performance against the Bears earned her SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

https://twitter.com/MizzouSoccer/status/1701295307735421107

Offensive Opposites

Florida has struggled offensively this year.

Outside of an 8-0 win over Stetson, the team has only scored five goals in the other six games.  Missouri will make the game difficult for Florida as its offense has scored 15 goals in seven games.

In Missouri’s last game against Missouri State, the Tigers had 17 shots, seven on goal. Florida gave up 11 corner kicks to the Seminoles, which is a weakness that the Tigers will be looking to exploit after having six against the Bears.

Julianne Leskauskas had all three shots for the Gators against the Seminoles. The teams leading scorers Lena Bailey and Megan Hinnenkamp were kept quiet. Kylee Simmons and Brianna Buels, who are the Tigers leading scorers, both scored against the Bears. The Gators will need to watch out for Simmons, who has 11 goals this season.

Both teams are seeking their first SEC win of the year. It’s Alumni Night, the 25th anniversary of Florida’s 1998 championship team.