It was an intense rivalry matchup between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs, and neither team could seem to put the ball away in the deciding moments of the contest.
Florida (4-4-6, 1-3-2 SEC) tied its second match of SEC play against Georgia (6-4-5, 2-2-3 SEC) on senior night at Donald R. Dizney Stadium Sunday.
“I thought we were incredible, the energy coming out was great,” senior defender Madison Young said. “Our class went through so much… and I think this game we had control. We had so much energy, so much effort. Even when we were on our heels, there’s so much grit, so much blue collar, so I thought we did really well.”
Both teams came out at full force the second the whistle blew, and neither let up until the match concluded.
Florida displayed its team chemistry, connecting passes seamlessly on offense in the opening minutes of the match.
As the contest continued, the Gators controlled the majority of possessions in the first half. However, Florida found itself again unable to execute on scoring chances much like it has throughout the entirety of 2024. Moreover, Florida outshot Georgia 14-9.
“We really challenged our team at halftime to do it differently today, and I thought we emptied our tank and created some really good chances,” UF head coach Samantha Bohon said.
UF junior defender/forward Lauren McCloskey took the first shot of the match 14 minutes in and graduate student defender Emilee Hauser followed with another, but it was saved by UGA junior goalkeeper Jordan Brown.
Freshman forward Vera Blom, graduate student defender Josie Curtis and redshirt junior forward Sophie White played harmoniously early in the first half. However, Florida’s offense fell short on being present in the 18-yard box for crosses.
Defensively, it was a match that relied on goalkeeping. Both Brown and UGA graduate student goalkeeper Alexa Goldberg were forces in the net, with Goldberg recording five saves, while Brown had six.
“Credit to Georgia’s keeper because she was outstanding,” Bohon said. “I thought we had two chances that we normally would have scored and she was just world class today.”
Goldberg came off her line at the right moments, executed clean saves and used every inch of her body to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard, showcasing her experience and presence on the field. Goldberg made a crucial save on Georgia’s second shot of the match by sophomore forward Jocelyn Chinea at minute 28 and at minute 65:25, she used one hand to stop a shot by UGA freshman forward Sophia Brelage.
“She’s been big for us in training as well as in games, so she’s certainly leaving her mark, but she’s also been a great mentor for our younger keepers so that when she passes the torch to them for next season, I think they’ll be ready.” Bohon said.
Senior defender Madison Young perfectly executed a textbook slide tackle to stop a breakaway by UGA graduate student midfielder Amber Nguyen in the last three minutes of the first half, allowing the Gators to enter halftime in a draw.
The second half started off slow as both teams quickly flipped possession. Florida saw similar struggles on offense, with incomplete crosses being made to absent players and shots falling short of target.
Halfway through the second half, the pace of the match picked up and aggressiveness followed. Both the Bulldogs and the Gators rallied 11 total fouls.
Offensively, the Gators best chance at scoring came in the second half. Blom launched a promising shot towards the goal, but the ball hit the top right corner of the crossbar at minute 73:44.
Sophomore forwards Delaney Tellex and Amelia Malkin worked together on the right wing to place the ball to Blom, who was ready in the 18-yard box, but Brown saved her shot at minute 83:37. Butts attempted to seal the deal off the deflection, but Brown did not let up.
“It’s bittersweet because you’re so grateful that you have had them for the time you’ve had them, however long that is, but you’re also sad to see them [the seniors] go,” Bohon said.
Florida will next play Vanderbilt at Donald R. Dizney Stadium Friday at 3:30 p.m.
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.
