Florida freshman forward Vera Blom touched the ball into the middle of the field, turning quickly and driving it just under the crossbar and over Georgia Southern graduate student goalkeeper Jaddah Foos’ head.
Blom, who started in every match this season, scored her second collegiate goal to solidify UF’s victory.
Florida (2-0-2) secured its first road win in a 2-0 victory to continue its undefeated streak in 2024 with a victory over Georgia Southern (0-2-1) in Statesboro, Georgia, on Thursday.
Sophomore forward Lena Bailey opened the first five minutes of the match with a shot at goal, but it was saved by Foos.
The Gators maintained majority possession of the ball for the entirety of the first half, with Florida taking six corner kicks to Georgia State’s zero.
Florida’s graduate student defender Emilee Hauser played a free kick on the ground at minute 35, but it was blocked by Georgia State’s defense.
UFs defense did not give Georgia State’s offense any opportunities at goal in the first half, playing their defense line-high on the field.
Quickly after being subbed in at minute 26, junior defender/midfielder Njeri Butts was a difference maker for Florida. Butts ran down the left side of the field and played a cross to the six. Bailey was ready, reaching her right foot on the ball, putting it in the back of the net while giving the Gators a 1-0 lead.
Redshirt junior forward Sophie White took a shot at goal in her third consecutive match playing this season, but she missed over the crossbar at minute 41.
Junior forward/defender Lauren McCloskey closed the first half with her third shot at goal, but it was turned away by Foos.
The Gators ended the first half ahead of the Panthers 1-0 in dominant offensive fashion with 10 shots compared to the Panthers’ one.
Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Paloma Pena, the former Dominican National Team player, opened the second half with a save on Georgia State’s first corner kick of the match.
Even while Georgia State picked up its intensity into the second half, Pena was able to keep the Panthers’ off the scoreboard. Pena blocked a shot near post 15 minutes into the half off the foot of Georgia State junior forward Emily Glenn.
At minute 69, Bailey headed the ball to the bottom-left of the net, but Foos made a diving save on Bailey’s attempt to keep Florida from extending its 2-0 lead.
Following a lengthy weather delay, Florida continued its attack with shots by graduate student defender Anna DeLeon coming off Florida’s 11th corner kick and two free kicks. White finished off the match with Florida’s 19th shot in the last two minutes.
Florida will next take on Towson (2-2-1) on the road at 12 p.m. in Towson, Maryland Sunday.
Contact Amanda Roman at aroman@alligator.org. Follow her on X @mandy_romannn
Amanda Roman is a sophomore sports journalism major and The Alligator's Fall 2024 Soccer Reporter. She interned for Fort Lauderdale United FC this past summer as the team's journalist. In her free time, she enjoys lifting, shopping and reading.
