Ten days ago, No. 7 Florida defeated No. 20 South Carolina 1-0 on a swerving free kick from senior defender Nicky Kit. On Sunday, it was Kit’s simple cross right at a Gamecocks defender that did the trick.
For the first time since 2007, the Gators (18-2-2, 12-1-1 Southeastern Conference) won the SEC Tournament with a 1-0 victory courtesy of an own goal by defending tournament champion South Carolina.
After defeating the Gamecocks 10 days earlier for their fifth consecutive regular-season crown, the Gators won a physical game by matching South Carolina’s defensive discipline, maintaining possession and waiting for their opportunities.
“I’m so excited to win again,” senior defender Ashlee Elliott said. “It was an amazing feeling [to hold the trophy again]. I’ve worked my butt off to get back to here and this is what I came back for.”
Said coach Becky Burleigh: “It was something that our team set as a goal at the end of last year, and it’s just exciting to achieve it.”
Elliott, along with SEC Defensive Player of the Year Kat Williamson and first-time starter Brooke Chancey, kept the Gamecocks off the scoreboard by harassing SEC Offensive Player of the Year Kayla Grimsley.
Chancey, filling in for the injured Katie Fraine, wasn’t fazed by the pressure and blocked several early shots, giving herself and the team confidence.
The junior goalie said she was on cloud nine when the game started but admitted jitters were also in play.
“I was really nervous,” she said. “But I got my mind right, got focused and played a solid game.”
Midway through the second half, Chancey swung the momentum of the game when she challenged Grimsley on a brutal one-on-one. On a high-bouncing long ball, Chancey and Grimsley collided at the top of the box, but Chancey held onto the ball and Grimsley was carded for the reckless challenge.
“That was an adrenaline high,” Chancey said. “I was so excited. It’s good to have a one-on-one and win it, especially against her because she’s a little arrogant and we love to take it to her.”
Despite a sluggish first half, the Gators came out firing after intermission and nearly scored three or four goals, but All-Tournament goalie Mollie Patton made several key saves to preserve the shutout.
But after knocking on the door all afternoon, Florida finally caught a break when Kit’s cross from the left sideline bounced off a defender’s leg and into the goal.
“The first half we didn’t play our style and maybe we were just a little uptight because it was a championship match,” Burleigh said. “But the second half we settled down and really started to take it too them. We put a lot of pressure on them, and they probably were fortunate to not have more than one go in.”
