Florida Gators Soccer Bounces Back, Claims Big Win In Maryland
In clearer weather conditions than what Florida has become accustomed to playing in this season, the Gators walked out of College Park, Maryland with a 3-1 win Sunday.
Each of Florida’s first four matches was either delayed due to nearby lightning or played in heavy rain. However, the skies were clear and sun was out, which the Gators took full advantage of against Maryland in a non-conference matchup..
After starting slow and eventually losing to UCF by a late goal on Thursday, Florida refused to make the same mistake twice.
Dominating possession from the very start, the Gators found the back of the net quickly. The Terrapins tried and failed to clear the ball from their own penalty box, giving Florida midfielder Charlotte McClure a chance she could not waste.
A headed ball fell straight onto McClure’s right foot, which she used to send a volley right over the keeper.
WATCH: CHARLOTTE MCCLURE SCORE FIRST GATROS GOAL
Shortly after, the Terps dug themselves into a deeper hole. Mia Mitchell committed a foul on Florida striker Addy Hess, which was deemed dangerous enough to award Mitchell a red card.
Hess got her retribution for the foul in the 53rd minute, after another Maryland player took down Meghan Hinnenkamp in the penalty box. Hess stepped up for the penalty and slotted her shot right past the keeper’s fingertips, joining McClure on the scoresheet.
Hess, a Virginia native, grew up only 30 minutes away from the site of the match.
“Lots of family and friends here to watch me,” Hess said postgame. “It was so exciting to be able to show them the team and get some goals for them.”
Each of Sunday’s scores was their first in a Gators uniform. However, unlike McClure, Hess would not be done scoring for the day.
Maryland cut into the lead with a tapped-in shot from Tahirah Turnage-Morales, but Hess would have her way with the Terrapins defense again.
She slipped behind a defender and got just enough space to take Njeri Butts’ pass and send a shot across goal with her left foot to earn a brace.
WATCH: ADDY HESS SCORES TO GIVE FLORIDA 3-1 LEAD
Sunday’s match was Florida’s first win away from home after an early season loss to FSU. The Gators have now won three of four matches, building the right momentum with only two matches remaining before SEC play opens on Sept. 11.
“For us to come on the road and come out with a win against a Big Ten team is important for us,” Gators coach Samantha Bohon said.
Florida has also nearly matched their tally of team goals from last season, scoring 12 through five games so far after only managing 13 goals in 18 matches in 2024.
The Gators’ road trip was short lived, however, as they now head back to the Donald R. Disney Stadium to host FGCU on Thursday followed by Georgia State next Sunday, with their SEC opener against Arkansas in the rear-view mirror.
Category: Gators Soccer, SEC, Soccer
