GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two Gator goals within a 26 second span were enough as No. 9 Florida held on for a 2-1 win over the Mizzou soccer team Thursday night in Gainesville, Florida. The Tigers fell to 5-8-1 overall and 1-4 in Southeastern Conference action with the loss, while the Gators improved to 10-2 and 4-1.
TURNING POINT
The Gators scored both their goals in a 26 second span in the first half. Tallies from Parker Roberts and Mayra Pelayo were enough to propel Florida to the win.
KEY MOMENTS
A penalty kick save from redshirt senior
Kristen Rivers (Lawrenceville, Georgia) minutes into the first half kept Mizzou within striking distance. After the Tigers were whistled for a foul in the box, Rivers stood her ground and made a diving save on a penalty attempt from Gabby Seiler.
Rivers' save invigorated Mizzou in the second half. In the 57th minute, sophomore Sarah Luebbert (Jefferson City, Missouri) was tackled right outside the box to set up a Tiger free kick. Redshirt sophomore Madison Lewis' (Zionsville, Indiana) attempt flew over the wall and bent into the near post to pull the Tigers within one, 2-1. The goal was Lewis' fifth of the season and second in as many games.
>QUOTABLES
Mizzou Head Coach Bryan Blitz
"I was really proud of our team to come back give us a chance to win the game in the second half. We stuck together. Our challenge now is to play more than 60 minutes of a 90 minute game."
MIZZOU NOTES
- Redshirt sophomore Madison Lewis now leads the Tigers with 12 points on five goals and two assists
- Her five goals are also tied for the team lead
- Redshirt senior Kristen Rivers' penalty kick save marked the second save on a penalty for the Tigers in 2017. Junior Kelsey Dossey saved a penalty kick against Georgia on Sept. 15
- Rivers made a season-high seven saves in goal
UP NEXT
The Tigers host No. 21 Tennessee on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. CT at Walton Stadium.
