Florida Gators soccer falls to Stanford in overtime

The 6th ranked Florida Gators soccer team and the 3rd ranked Stanford Cardinal both entered Friday’s match perfect 2-0 records. Florida has struggled with Stanford in years past, with an 0-3-1 record against the Cardinal before Friday night’s game. The Gators still could not manage to get over the hump as Stanford topped them once again 1-0 in overtime. It was the third consecutive match between the two teams that was sent into overtime.

The game started out very heated, with 12 fouls between the teams in the first half of play and a yellow card given to Meggie Dougherty Howard. Besides the heat between the teams, the first half was rather uneventful as the Gators only took three shots.

Florida finally found some momentum at the start of the second half, but could never find a way to capitalize on the few opportunities given by Stanford. After two quick shots by the Gators in the first minutes of the half, Stanford’s defense took over against Florida’s talented attack.

Stanford’s offense quickly took momentum back and was finding offensive opportunities regularly. Sophomore goal keeper Kaylan Marckeese came through for the Gators with five key saves in the second half. Her six total saves in the game tied her career high.

In the sixth minute of overtime, Marckeese slid to save a shot by Stanford’s Jordan DiBiasi, but could not stop DiBiasi’s second shot off the deflection that she sent into the top left corner of the goal.

Coming Up Next

The Gators continue their trip to the west coast to take on No. 15 UCLA at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Bailiegh Carlton
A lifelong sports fan, Bailiegh Carlton knew from a young age that she wanted to work in sports in some capacity. Before transferring to the University of Florida to study journalism, she played softball at Gulf Coast State College. She then interned for Gator Country for three years as she worked toward her degree. After graduation, Bailiegh decided to explore other opportunities in the world of sports, but all roads led her right back here. In her time away, she and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. When she isn't working, she can almost always be found snuggled up with sweet baby Ridley, Cody and her four fur babies.

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