The No. 15 Florida Gators (14-4-1, 8-3 SEC) defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks (18-1-1, 11-0 SEC), the lone remaining undefeated team in the country, and No. 1 overall seed in the SEC Tournament 1-0 on Friday.
The Gators were seeking revenge after their devastating double overtime loss to the Gamecocks in October. While the Gators own the overall record in this game, the Gamecocks have had the Gator’s number lately winning three out of the last four. This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season.
In the first half, the teams both exchanged good shoots in a fast and physical showing. It wasn’t until Gator’s leading goal scorer Savannah Jordan headed a ball that was off the crossbar into the net to give the Gators a 1-0 lead in the first half after 19 minutes of play. The Gamecocks quickly attacked however and ripped two good shots that were saved and the Gators went into halftime with a much needed lead.
The signs of the double overtime game against Missouri earlier in the week started to show as the Gators were worn down in this second half. But with the Gamecocks making constant pushes, the Gators were able to gel together and hang on to their 1-0 halftime lead and clinch a spot in the SEC Tournament finals on Sunday.
The Gators are looking to win their second consecutive SEC Tournament and they will face the winner of the Auburn Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sunday in Orange Beach, Alabama at 3P.M.