“That game was like work and our games before this have been much more free flowing,” coach Becky Burleigh said. It was the first day appearance this season since UF’s only other Sunday match had a rare evening start time. The midday heat took its toll, especially once the clouds parted in the second period. “We have to be prepared, Sundays are going to come throughout the whole season,” Burleigh said.
Both teams’ defenses bended but didn’t break in the first half. UF had five shots on goal in the first period, all from different players. In the 15th minute, junior Tahnai Annis couldn’t get enough leg behind her shot and the ball rolled harmlessly to Aztec goalkeeper Aubree Southwick.
SDSU also had a couple of good looks at a goal, but failed to convert on any of its opportunities.
Southwick, a senior, did make an experienced save on a Florida free kick from Nicky Kit in the 33rd minute. Junior forward Lindsay Thompson was fouled right outside of the penalty box and Kit rocketed an on-target kick that curved left, but Southwick dove and halted it.
Florida’s own goal keeper, senior Katie Fraine, also made a save on SDSU freshman Soledad Gomez’s 1v1 opportunity in the 41st minute.
“We let them determine the pace of the game,” Fraine said. “If we come out every game like this, it’s not gonna happen for us.”
The Gators made sure to come out more aggressive in the second half and tripled their shots on goal in the latter 45 minutes. Their aggression paid off on the defensive end as well as UF kept the Aztecs on their heels and limited them to only four shots on goal after halftime.
“I like the first five minutes but then we kind of just went back to same old, same old,” Burleigh said.
In the 46th minute, Barney put the Gators on the board with a lightning-fast goal from seven yards out. Senior Ashlee Elliott and sophomore Ericka Tymrak were credited with assists on the goal. Tymrak dribbled through the defense and attracted the attention of Barney’s defender, freeing her up for the game-winning goal.
“The first half was not acceptable and we definitely made that clear at halftime,” Barney said. “Everyone finally turned their brains on in the second half. I should have put at least two more in the net. We had a lot more opportunities that we wish we would’ve put in the back of the net, but we got away with a win.”
The goal extended Barney’s on-going streak — she’s now up to six consecutive home appearances with a goal.
Florida makes its only home appearance for the month of September next Friday when Jacksonville (2-2, 0-0 Atlantic Sun) visits Pressly Stadium. Match time is set for 7 p.m. The match can be heard on WRUF AM 850, by simulcast on Cox Channel 946 (Gainesville/Ocala) or on www.GatorZone.com with Adam Schick and Matthew Stubbington covering the action. Live, streaming video of the match is available on GatorVision Online – check out the GatorVision on www.GatorZone.com for complete information.
The first 1,000 fans will receive a free 2010 Gator Soccer replica jersey t-shirt courtesy of Gatorade. Also, the first 200 youth soccer players Friday will receive orange pompoms. Throughout the match Youth Soccer Month T-Shirts will be tossed throughout the crowd.
