Coming off a thrilling 2-1 come-from- behind win at Alabama, the Bulldogs (5-6-3, 2-3-1 SEC) look to ride that momentum into this weekend’s pair of pivotal Southeastern Conference matchups.
First up for State is a 7 p.m. Friday trip to Gainesville to take on No. 12 Florida (9-3-2, 3-2-1 SEC). The Gators are currently tied for third place in the SEC with a total of ten points and are coming off a weekend win over Kentucky and a draw with Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs celebrated Senior Night last season with an exhilarating 1-0 win over then No. 6 ranked Gators on Sara Moore’s first goal as a Bulldog. The win marked the first win over Florida in school history.
“We’re all gonna have to come out on the same page and work hard from the get go,” Moore said. “We need to start winning balls in the 18.”
If the Bulldogs are to repeat the fortunes of 2003, they will have to stop an explosive offensive that leads the SEC in nearly every major offensive category.
UF leads the SEC with 31 total goals, giving them a goals per game average of 2.21. Senior midfielder Stephanie Freeman leads the Gators and the SEC with 11 goals, posting a 1.71 goals per game average.
“We’ve been doing a good job staying compact and we just need to do a good job on holding our shape,” Moore said. We’ve got to force them into the middle and not allow them to get crosses off.”
Along with their intimidating offense, Florida boasts an impressive defense as well. In just eight games of play, Gator keeper Jen Gardner has allowed only four goals in just over 750 minutes of action. Five of her eight games have been shutouts.
Betty Ann Casey, a Coral Springs, Fla. native, said performing well offensively is especially important to her during this particular game.
“Offensively we’ve got to break them down some how and come full force,” Casey said. “I know a lot of girls on their team and I really want to prove something.”
Following the game with Florida, the Bulldogs conclude their four-game road trip with a Sunday afternoon contest with South Carolina (6-7-2, 0-4-2 SEC).
Despite the winless conference record, head coach Neil MacDonald said the Gamecocks will be an extremely difficult opponent.
“Anyone can beat anyone in this league,” MacDonald said. “South Carolina has proven with their non-conference play that they’re a great team. We’re on the road and we just need to grab some points away from home.”
State returns home next Friday as the Bulldogs entertain Vanderbilt in a 7 p.m. kickoff.