Florida goalkeeper Nora Neset Gjoen was no match to the Florida State’s physicality.
The freshman held on for dear life with every shot that came to the Gators’ goal, but the Seminoles’ accuracy was something she underestimated in Friday night’s 3-0 loss in front of a James G. Pressly Stadium crowd of 4,279 – the fifth largest in program history.
This makes it the third straight year third-ranked FSU (3-0) has defeated eighth-ranked Florida (2-1).
The first goal came from just 12 yards out, when FSU forward Dagny Brynjarsdottir controlled a pass from midfielder Nickolette Driesse and sunk it straight to the back of the net.
Brynjarsdottir then outsmarted Neset Gjoen again just two minutes later, positioning herself two yards out to the right of the goal. Defender Megan Campbell launched a long ball to the box and Brynjarsdottir headed it right into the net.
Campbell’s throw in was something Florida grappled with, especially on the set piece.
“Their long throw in is really difficult,” coach Becky Burleigh said.
“Honestly we did not practice well in practice against it. We knew it was coming. It wasn’t a preparation issue, but we did not execute well even in practice against it. It’s a dangerous weapon, there’s no question about it. It caused havoc every time she took it.”
Another crippling aspect for the Gators was the Seminoles’ quickness.
Florida had its looks early, recording two shots within the first ten minutes, but it couldn’t get enough power behind the ball to finish its chances.
Freshman Savannah Jordan, who scored five goals in the Gators’ opening weekend, had some well-played looks within the last 10 minutes of the first half, but couldn’t find a way around Seminoles defenders and goalkeeper Kelsey Wys – even getting picked off a few times.
“It’s really frustrating,” Jordan said.
“They’re really physical. They bump you off a wall in heartbeat. I think that’s maybe a weakness I could work on, just getting more physical and holding onto the ball, but I think we fought hard despite it.”
Frustration continued to weigh down on the Gators, when a third FSU goal came a minute before first half’s end.
Midfielder Michaela Hahn found an opening in the Gators’ back line and shot off a long ball from 23 yards out into the back of the net.
“The third goal was tough because it was such an unusual goal,” Burleigh said. “I still felt like going into half time we could go out and impose our will on them.”
The second half fared better for the Gators.
Taylor Burke came into goal and saved two shots throughout the half.
Jordan came out more aggressive – posting two more shots at the Seminoles – but just couldn’t finish against their physical defense.
Florida maintained good possession, but the clock ran down on their chances to score and resulted in a 3-0 loss.
“They came out today and executed their opportunities,” junior midfielder Annie Speese said. “It’s the third game this season, so we put that behind us and go from here.”
The Gators take a trip down to Miami on Sunday to face Florida International University at 7 p.m.
Follow Michelle Provenzano on Twitter @mmprovenzano.
Gators sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Burke makes a save against the Tennessee Volunteers during a game in 2011. Burke played the second half in Florida's 3-0 home loss on FSU on Friday night.
