Florida fell to Georgetown 11-13 Tuesday night, but the Gators left the game with a new outlook on their on-field maturity and their ability to compete against the teams at the top of the sport.
In only its second loss in five games this season, UF (3-2) managed to stay with the Hoyas and keep the match close even after watching the No. 5-ranked team score three unanswered goals to close out the first half and add another to begin the second period.
Midfielder Caroline Chesterman led the Gators with three goals while midfielders Sam Farrell, Julie Schindel and Colby Rhea each had two scores for O’Leary’s squad. Midfielder Brittany Dashiell and attacker Ashley Bruns added one each to round out Florida’s scoring on the night.
Bruns also added two assists, improving her team-leading total to 12 on the season.
The Gators found themselves in an early 0-2 hole just three minutes into the game. The Hoyas struck, and Florida was unable to respond until Rhea put the team on the board with 25:51 left in the half. UF allowed Georgetown another two scores for a 4-1 lead before Rhea added her second point with 21:50 to go, cutting the lead to 4-2.
The Gators then exchanged single then double scores with the Hoyas, before the No. 5 team pulled away at the end of the half with its three-goal run.
“When we gave up those four goals in a row, I think we were able to rebound and actually say, ‘OK, that’s it; we’re going to hold them tight,’” UF coach Amanda O’Leary said. “The fact that we came out in the second half being down 10 to five showed a lot of composure.”
In the second half, Florida countered Georgetown’s run with a four-goal stretch of its own. However, the Hoyas scored two unanswered goals to go up 13-9. Chesterman then added the final two scores for the Gators as they fell short of the comeback victory.
Throughout the season, O’Leary has talked about the shortcomings of UF’s defensive unit. However, against the Hoyas, UF allowed only three scores in the final half and gave up just two free-position shots. The team held Georgetown to just one of five on free-position shots and managed to lessen fouls throughout the match.
“When we can come out of a game with no yellow card, we are really pleased,” O’Leary said. “We controlled our checking, did a much better job of body positioning, so ultimately we are learning from our mistakes which is really what we need to do.”
