Tahnai Annis does not want to play her last game as a Gator. And she is doing everything in her power to make sure that does not happen.
Annis, a senior midfielder, scored two goals and assisted on another as No. 2 seed Florida (17-7) defeated Florida Gulf Coast (14-5-2) 3-0, Saturday night at Pressly Stadium in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
“We have a special team here,” Annis said. “I don’t want us to waste the opportunity.”
In the 16th minute, the Gators took a 1-0 lead for just the second time in their last eight games when junior midfielder Erika Tymrak sent a corner kick into the box that was deflected back to her. She played it back through the middle of the box again and Annis sent a diving header past the right of Eagles keeper Stephanie Powers from five yards out for her eighth goal of the season.
“I was just trying to get in the best possible position to get a touch on it at all,” Annis said. “I was already in the box so I was just trying to separate myself from a defender so Erika could find me.”
Annis struck again in the 68th minute to make it 2-0 when freshman midfielder Annie Speese sent a free kick from Florida’s attacking third into the middle of the box. With several Eagles and Gators going for the first ball, Annis was able to get her head on the service and put it past Powers from 10 yards out.
The second goal gave Annis her third multi-goal game of the season and eighth of her career. In the first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament against Georgia last week, Annis scored both Florida goals in a 2-0 win.
Coach Becky Burleigh said getting the early lead that has eluded the Gators numerous times throughout the latter half of the season prevented the Eagles from playing a defensive-minded strategy.
“That helped to open them up a little bit,” Burleigh said of Annis’ first goal.
It was the second meeting of the season between the two teams, as the Gators won the first meeting, 5-0, on Sept. 11.
Eagles’ coach Jim Blankenship said that in the early season matchup his players might have been overwhelmed, but he was pleased with the effort they displayed Saturday.
“With 20 minutes left in the game it was still open,” he said. “I thought our kids played well and the energy level was great.”
While they held the Gators in check more than they did in the September game, the Eagles were not able to do much on offense themselves, mustering just three shots.
Florida outside back Kat Williamson said the Gators were able to limit the Eagles through effective team defense.
“Everybody was backing each other up - someone made a mistake, someone else was behind them. I think that contributed to our success.”
