For the second time in as many games, the No. 6 Gators were victimized by a goal off a corner kick in the final minute.
Friday night, Florida (10-2-2, 4-1-1 Southeastern Conference) experienced déjà vu as it conceded the tying goal in the last minute of regulation for the third time this season.
Sunday’s ending was different. They lost this time.
Unlike the three previous games that resulted in a tie or win, Sunday’s error was the game’s only goal as Florida lost 1-0 to Auburn (9-5,3-3 SEC).
In the 89th minute of what had been a scoreless draw, All-SEC goalie Katie Fraine misplayed the Tigers’ corner kick and the ball trickled past senior defender Nicky Kit and into the goal.
“We just got outplayed. Flat out out-played,” coach Becky Burleigh said. “Whether the goal came in the 89th minute or the fifth minute, they had better chances than we did and they deserved to win.”
The Gators were on their heels for much of the second half as the Tigers continuously pushed forward and thwarted any Gators attack. Auburn outshot Florida eight to three in the second half.
The Tigers nearly took the lead twice in a span of 30 seconds, but key plays by Fraine and the rest of the Florida defense preserved the shutout.
In the 59th minute, Fraine blocked a one-on-one chance barely more than 10 yards away from goal. Seconds later, Auburn had a corner kick and defender Jazmyne Avant and Kit deflected the ball from an empty net.
While Fraine was out of position, Avant used her knee to block the header and Kit slid over to clear the ball.
Earlier in the game, in an attempt to create more offense in a clogged middle, Burleigh moved center back Ashlee Elliott to striker.
“Their center backs were really sitting back deep so we thought putting a bigger body back there might occupy them more,” Burleigh said.
The coach also said it was only an in-game decision and that Elliott would be back in her usual role next weekend.
Including Friday night’s 1-1 draw against Alabama, Florida again struggled this weekend at finishing that final pass to create scoring opportunities.
Midfielder Erika Tymrak created several strong chances in the first half, but Florida failed to capitalize on any of them. Too often the Gators had unforced turnovers that killed the attack.
Sunday’s game was the second time this season Florida failed to score a goal.
“We have one or two ways to go at this point,” Burleigh said. “We can get back to work, buckle down and go back to basics. We have to stick together or we’ll fall apart. We’ll really find out what we’re made of now.”
