GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Standing water and an extremely soggy field forced Friday’s match between the No. 12 University of Florida soccer team
(4-2-1, 0-0 SEC) and Florida Atlantic (3-3-1, 0-0 SBC) to end with a scoreless tie at the end of regulation. Both coaches agreed to end the match due to unplayable conditions at the James G. Pressly Stadium.
Rain started with 37 minutes remaining in the second half, increasing in intensity as play continued. The players were pulled from the field with 10:59 remaining in the second period and they waited out a 1:16 lightening delay. Once play resumed, the players slogged through the wet field that made passing the ball nearly impossible.
With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, sophomore Angela Napolitano had a chance to put the Gators on the scoreboard, as she tried to put the crossed ball in at the far post. FAU goalkeeper Jessica Badders saved the ball out of bounds for a Gator corner kick.
Although the Gators controlled play for much of the match, they could not finish one of their 17 shots for a goal.
“I think they (the Gators) are really frustrated,” UF Head Coach Becky Burleigh said. “We had 60 minutes before it started raining to take care of business and we didn’t – that’s the bottom line. We need to develop more of a killer instinct. It’s a matter of mental preparation.”
Next up, the Gators begin a three-match road stretch at Nebraska (3-2-2, 0-0 Big 12) on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 2 p. m (ET). The Cornhuskers defeated St. Louis 5-1 in Friday home action. The action for that match can be heard live on WRUF-AM 850 and www. GatorZone. com.