2015 Gator Soccer: A Year In Review

The 2015 Florida Gator soccer team had a fantastic year as they won both the SEC regular season and tournament championships on route to a 19-4-1 (9-2-1 in SEC play) record. In the NCAA Tournament, Florida's season ended in the Sweet 16 with a 2-1 loss to Duke. Despite another disappointing showing in postseason play, this year's Gator team has so much to be proud of. Some of their season accomplishments include:

• A 14th SEC regular season title and 11th SEC tournament title
• A second-straight win over the Florida State Seminoles (with the final score being 3-2)
• Victories over five teams ranked in the final NSCAA Coaches Top 25 polls
• Six shutout wins
• Finishing at #5 in the NSCAA Coaches poll at the end of the season

After highlighting the team's accolades, let's shine the spotlight on the individual Gators who contributed to this success. Here are the award winners:

Individual Awards & Honors

• 2015 First Team All-SEC
• Forward- Savannah Jordan (Junior)
• Defender- Claire Falknor (Senior)
• Defender- Christen Westphal (Senior)
• 2015 Second Team All-SEC
• Midfielder- Meggie Dougherty Howard (Junior)

• 2015 All-Freshman Team
• Midfielder- Mayra Pelayo (Freshman)

• 2015 SEC Offensive Player of the Year
• Forward- Savannah Jordan

• 2015 SEC Defensive Player of the Year
• Defender- Christen Westphal

Now, let's look at the stat leaders for the Orange and Blue:

Goals: Savannah Jordan (24)

Assists: Christen Westphal (12)

Points: Savannah Jordan (55)

Shots: Savannah Jordan (116)

Game Winners: Savannah Jordan (4)

Penalty Kicks Made: Pamela Begic (3) (Junior)

Saves: Kaylan Marckese (54) (Freshman)

Shutouts: Kaylan Marckese (5)

Yellow Cards: Savannah Jordan/Liz Slattery (3) (Junior)

Minutes: Claire Falknor (2,166)

Final Season Takeaway:

Four seniors will be departing from the Gator soccer team and taking their place will be seven hungry juniors who have experienced defeat in the Round of 32, the Elite Eight, and now the Sweet 16. With one final season remaining, what will their legacy ultimately be as a class? This was by no means a bad season, but at the same time it can be considered a failure because the team failed to bring the hardware home.

Winning SEC titles are always great, and it is an awesome memory that the graduating seniors will cherish forever. However, this team has way too much firepower returning next year to just settle for conference championships. They already know they are the best team in the SEC, now they just have to go out and prove it to the rest of the country! Regardless, hats off to the Gators for another spectacular soccer season and I cannot wait to root them on in 2016!

*All stats & accolades accredited to floridagators.com, NCAA.com, & SECsports.com

#14 UF Downs #1 FSU in Home Opener

For the first time since 1998, the #14 Florida Gators women's soccer team has defeated the #1 team in the country! It is only fitting that the Gators' victims be the rival Florida State Seminoles. The Gators jumped on FSU as they scored three goals in the first half. Junior forward Savannah Jordan was the first to score, followed by true freshman midfielder Sara Troccoli, and finally junior midfielder Pamela Begić.

FSU did not score until the second half, and was able to cut the deficit to 3-2 before the Gators tightened up on defense and secured the victory. Despite allowing two goals, redshirt junior goalkeeper Valier Tysinger had two saves to help earn her third win of the season.

#14 Florida's home winning streak is now 13 games and they have beaten FSU for the second year in a row! After a hard-fought victory over the defending National Champions, the Gators will now refocus for another home matchup against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Friday, September 4, at 7 p.m. For #1 Florida State, they head back to Tallahassee but it does not get any easier as they will be taking on the #4 Texas A&M Aggies also at 7 p.m. on September 4th.

*All stats accredited to Gatorzone.com

UF Soccer: Gators' Season Ends in Heartbreak

Out of the many articles I have written, this has to be one of the toughest ones. The Florida Gators women's soccer team was on the cusp of going to the Final Four for just the third time in program history, but it was not to be tonight. Going up against a Stanford Cardinal team that had just lost one game the whole year, the Gators fell by a score of 3-2 in penalty kicks.

Let me just say how much I abhor penalty kicks. Regardless if Florida had won or not, I believe that penalty kicks are not a suitable way to decide a soccer match. These girls are out here for 110 minutes and you want me to believe that they are okay with the game coming down to the ability of five of their teammates to score on a 12-yard kick?

Not to mention the pressure it puts on the goalie, who becomes vilified if she can't perform in the clutch. Senior goalkeeper Taylor Burke did allow three Stanford penalty kicks with the last one being the game winner. Still, I believe she is a phenomenal goalkeeper and I do not fault her one bit for this loss. It is a real shame that her collegiate career had to end in such an agonizing matter. She will be missed dearly.

As for the lineup for the PK's, it was as follows: senior Annie Bobbitt, senior Annie Speese, sophomore Pamela Begic, senior Havana Solaun, and junior Lauren Silver. As good as a kicking lineup as this was, I was shocked to not see sophomore Savannah Jordan in there as she was the team's leading scorer. Bobbitt and Speese would miss their two attempts, while the next three all found the back of the net.

The controversial decision to not insert Jordan was one made by head coach Becky Burleigh and I will try my best not to question it. It was puzzling though, and many Gator fans (including myself) will probably be wondering for awhile why the best player on the team was not in for penalty kicks with a Final Four spot on the line.

It would be easy to blame Coach Burleigh, Bobbitt and Speese, or even goalkeeper Taylor Burke. At the end of the day, however, Stanford was just a better team. They already proved it before when they beat the Gators 1-0 in overtime on this very field on September 12th.

Also, the Gators should have lost 2-1 and would not have even extended the game to penalty kicks had Stanford not scored an own goal. Not to mention that Speese was the one who assisted on Havana Solaun's game tying goal in the 79th minute.

For anyone wanting to blame Bobbitt, she is primarily a defender and Coach Burleigh surely had reasons for putting her in. At the end of the day, Coach Burleigh knows way more than all of us spectators do.

This loss is going to sting the girls, especially the seniors, for a decent amount of time. However, nobody can take away how much this team has accomplished this year. Posting an overall record of 17-5-1, going 10-0 at home, and finishing second in the SEC is a ton to be proud of. With a majority of the team coming back for 2015, look for the Gators to get back in the Elite Eight and maybe even further next season.

As one team weeps, another cheers. After outlasting the Gators, Stanford (21-1-2) will now head to the Final Four in Boca Raton, Florida, to take on the Florida State Seminoles (22-1-1). This is going to be a great game and I will be rooting hard for Stanford.

Even though the Cardinal beat Florida, nothing would make me happier than to see Stanford knock FSU out of the Final Four. I am still upset they beat Florida, but I rather see the Gators lose to Stanford than FSU any day of the week. The game is set for 7:30 p.m. on December 5th.

*All stats accredited to Gatorzone.com & NCAA.com

UF Soccer: Gators Advance to Elite 8

The Florida Gators women's soccer team is on its way to the Elite Eight! After defeating the Texas Tech Raiders 3-2 today, the Gators will be playing in just the fifth Elite Eight in program history!

Similar to last game, the Gators struck first as senior Havana Solaun scored in the 14th minute of the game. Less than ten minutes later in the 21st minute, sophomore Savannah Jordan knocked one through to make it 2-0 Florida.

Texas Tech would rally back though, as freshman Sara Summers scored in the 37th minute and junior Janine Beckie scored in the 64th minute. With the score now tied at 2-2, a hero would need to emerge to keep the Gators' historic postseason run alive.

As the game clock wound down to under ten minutes, Florida found its hero in Annie Speese. In the 81st minute, the senior midfielder scored her third goal of the tournament to give Florida the lead and ultimately the win.

Senior goalkeeper Taylor Burke recorded three saves today and continues to play well as the stakes grow a little bit higher in each game.

Through three NCAA tournament games, the Florida Gators (19-4-1) have scored three goals in each contest and will now prepare for the winner of the Stanford/Washington game. I am hoping that Washington can find a way to pull the upset as Stanford beat Florida 1-0 in overtime earlier this year. This Elite Eight game will take place on November 28th or November 29th at a time to be determined.

Texas Tech concludes their season at 16-4-2 and will head back home to Lubbock to start offseason training for 2015.

*All stats accredited to Gatorzone.com

UF Soccer: Gators Advance to Sweet 16

The Florida Gators women's soccer team is heading to the Sweet 16 after their 3-1 victory over the California Golden Bears in the Gainesville regional tonight!

Seeded #2 in their respective region of the bracket, the Gators jumped on Cal quickly as senior midfielder Annie Speese scored just three minutes into the game. As Cal tried to recover from this early blow, the Gators would strike again. This time it was senior midfielder Havana Solaun who would score in the 13th minute to make it 2-0 Gators.

Cal would not go down without a fight, however. Junior forward Celeste Boureille scored in the 17th minute to make it 2-1 and from there it was just a long game of keep away. As the game clock slowly ticked to its conclusion, the Gators put the nail in the coffin as sophomore forward Savannah Jordan beat the keeper and scored in the 89th minute.

On defense, it was another senior-dominated performance as goalkeeper Taylor Burke had three saves on the night. Burke has now allowed just one goal in two tournament games.

For the second straight game, the Gators (18-4-1) have scored three goals. They will look to continue this streak as they prepare for their Sweet 16 match with the Texas Tech Red Raiders (17-3-2) on Sunday, November 23rd. The Gators will have the home field advantage as this game will be in Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Game time is 2 p.m.

As for the California Golden Bears, they end there season at 14-6-2 and will head back to Berkeley to start offseason training for next season.

*All stats accredited to NCAA.com & Gatorzone.com

#8 UF Soccer Upsets #2 FSU

Tonight was a glorious night for the #8 Florida Gator woman's soccer team as they upset the #2 ranked Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee by a score of 2-1. I was able to watch the second half on my phone and I was nothing less than thrilled as I watched the Gators cling on to their one goal lead to secure the upset. Regardless of what sport, it's always a great feeling when Florida beats FSU.

This win snaps the Gators' three game losing streak against FSU and also ends the Seminoles' 38 game home winning streak. The last time FSU lost in Tally was in 2011 against the Maryland Terrapins. When their streak began, I was a junior in high school!

I asked sophomore forward Savannah Jordan for her thoughts on the team's performance and she had this to say, "I think our team played great tonight. We showed a lot of fight and heart. I thought we played and worked for each other. This was another step to where we want to be and I'm extremely proud of my team! I'm excited to continue the rest of the season!"

Jordan's offensive talents would not be needed this game. Instead, it was fellow sophomore midfielders Pamela Begic and Betsy Middleton who put the Gators on the scoreboard first with a goal a piece in the first half. Both goals would be the first of both players' seasons. Begic's other offensive contribution came in the form of an assist on Middleton's goal. In regards to Begic's goal, senior Tessa Andujar provided the assist.

Defensively, goalkeeper Taylor Burke came ready to play tonight. She had five saves and allowed just one goal as she notched her fourth win of the season. Down the stretch in the 70th, 76th, 83rd, and 85th minutes, Burke made some clutch saves to help preserve the Gators' one goal lead. As a senior who had never beaten FSU before, Burke has got to be feeling great after her performance tonight.

This game serves as sweet revenge for the Gators after the 3-0 thumping the Seminoles handed them last year in Gainesville. The Gators' odds of winning this year looked no better as the Seminoles were coming off a National Championship appearance, were ranked #2 in the country, and virtually never lost at home. That is why they play the game.

I think it is absolutely fitting that the Gators ended FSU's home winning streak. It's great for these seniors and it's a great early season win for the team. Hopefully, Florida will ride the momentum from this win into their next game against another tough opponent in #4 Stanford on September 12. This will be another road game for the Gators and game time is approximately 10:30 p.m. I'll try to catch this game if I'm not too busy.

As for Florida State, they will have to recover from this crushing upset as their next game is at home on September 8 against the St. John's Red Storm. Game time is 7 p.m. and I expect St. John's to feel the wrath of a very angry/motivated Seminoles squad.

*All stats accredited to Gatorzone.com

UF Soccer: Miami vs #8 Florida

On a rainy August 22nd night, the #8 Gators took the field against the rival Miami Hurricanes. Despite a few weather delays, the Gator soccer team was able to emerge victorious by a score of 3-0.

Senior forward JIllian Graff stole the show early as she scored her first goal of the season a little less than 10 minutes into the game. She would strike again in the second half with another goal in the 64th minute. Star sophomore forward Savannah Jordan also left her mark on the game with a goal in the 68th minute.

Senior goalkeeper Taylor Burke had one save on the night, which is pretty good considering Miami only had two shots on goal. Florida dominated the 'Canes in shots on a goal by a margin of 17-2. The Gators' smothering defense allowed Burke to notch her first shutout of the year and puts them at 1-0 on the season.

Next up for the #8 Gators are the South Florida Bulls at home, who they are currently playing as I write this article. After USF, Florida will head to Norman to play the Oklahoma Sooners on August 29 at 8 p.m. As for Miami, they are currently taking on UCF in Orlando and will then head home to play the FGCU Eagles on August 29 at 7 p.m.

*All stats accredited to Gatorzone.com

2014 Florida Gator Women's Soccer Season Preview

            Today, the 2014 Florida Gator soccer team kicks off its season with an exhibition game against FIU at 7 p.m.  I recently caught up with sophomore forward Savannah Jordan, who garnered many accolades after a spectacular freshman year, and asked her for her thoughts on the season.

“I am super excited about this season! I think our team has amazing potential this year. We have a majority of our team returning from last year and I think we have only grown from then. I can't wait to play again with all of my teammates. The vibes and attitudes on the team are nothing but positive and I think everyone is really determined to go far this year.  I'm looking forward to this season getting started!”

Savannah Jordan has every right to be optimistic as the team only lost four players to graduation.  This year, the team will be composed of eight seniors, five juniors, seven sophomores, and four freshmen.  With most of the team returning, the Gators should once again be very competitive in the SEC as well as the country.

Their schedule intrigues me as they will face many Top 25 opponents in #2 FSU, #6 Stanford, #9 Texas A&M, and #14 South Carolina.  The Gators themselves are ranked at #8 and I expect them to stay up in the polls throughout the entire season.  Some other intriguing nonconference matchups for the Gators are games against Miami at home, and Oklahoma and Oklahoma State on the road.

Personnel wise, the Gators’ top scorer returns in forward Savannah Jordan.  She netted 22 goals last year and I won’t be surprised if she surpasses that mark in 2014.  Another impact player on offense is senior midfielder Havana Solaun.  She led the team in assists with nine last year and also scored eight goals of her own.

Defensively, the Gators return seven players who all had significant playing time in 2013.  Anchored by seniors Lauren Silver, Karina Gutsche, Annie Bobbitt, and Tessa Andujar, the Gators defense should fare very well this year. 

Rounding off the Gator defense is senior goalkeeper Taylor Burke.  Allowing just 10 goals while tallying 13 wins and 9 shutouts, Burke will be the primary option at keeper this year as backup Nora Neset Gjøen signed a contract to play for LSK Kvinner in Norway.

As for predictions, I believe the 2014 Gator soccer team will do big things this year.  I think they will finish the regular season 16-2 with those two losses potentially coming from FSU and Stanford (who they both play exactly one week apart from each other). 

They will go undefeated in SEC play (11-0) to win the regular season title and earn the #1 seed in the SEC Tournament.  In the tournament, they will face the Texas A&M Aggies for the second straight year for the SEC Championship and will defeat them to win the championship and avenge their 2013 loss to the Aggies.

In the NCAA Tournament, I predict that the Gators will hit their peak and win a bunch of close games to claim the second National Championship in the program’s history.  This will be a special season for Gator soccer, and I can’t wait to be out there at James G. Pressly Stadium to watch history unfold!  

Women's Soccer: #8 Florida vs Alabama

On Friday, September 20, 2013, I attended the Florida Gators' first SEC soccer match of the season against the Alabama Crimson Tide. There was a good showing by the crowd as the #8 team in the country knocked off the Crimson Tide by a score of 3-0.  Freshman Savannah Jordan led the way with two goals in the first half and nearly had a hat trick.  The other goal was scored by Liz Slatterly, another Gator freshman.  Goalkeeper Taylor Burke had three saves as she recorded her second consecutive shutout at home.  Getting off on the right foot in conference play, the Gators will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to take on the Ole Miss Rebels next Friday.  Alabama will look to get back to its winning ways against SEC foe Vanderbilt next Friday at home in Tuscaloosa.

*Stats accredited to Gatorzone.com

UF Volleyball/Women's Soccer

I spent my Friday the 13th attending the UF Volleyball game against the Georgetown Hoyas in UF's Active Ankle Challenge and the UF Soccer game against Minnesota Golden Gophers.  This game was especially important to Gator senior, Taylor Brauneis, who was facing off against her young sister Caitlin.  Taylor was able to edge her younger sister as the Gators beat the Hoyas in three sets by scores of 25-14, 25-14, 25-10.  From what I saw, it was another dominant victory for the #5 team in the nation.  Khloe Mann had another strong performance as the senior led the way with 11 kills and 16 of the team's 59.5 points.  UF will look to continue its streak against Iona tomorrow at 12 pm and Western Michigan at 7:30 pm in the O'Connell Center while the Hoyas will look to bounce back on Saturday as well against Western Michigan at 10 am and Iona at 5 pm.

After volleyball, I took the short walk down to James G. Pressly Stadium and managed to catch the second half of the soccer game vs Minnesota.  It was 0-0 when I arrived, but it did not stay that way for long as freshman Savannah Jordan scored two goals in a span of two minutes!  This was all the Gators needed as they handed the Golden Gophers their first lost of the season by a score of 2-0.  Keeper Nora Neset Green, also a freshman, had 2 saves to preserve the shutout.  The Gators had 15 shots on goal compared to Minnesota's 4.  It is easy to say that the freshmen played a big role in the win tonight.  The Gators will look to continue their winning ways on the road Sunday against the University of South Florida Bulls at 6 p.m. while the Golden Gophers will look to right the ship against Jacksonville on Sunday at 1 p.m.

*Stats accredited to Gatorzone.com

Women's Soccer: #8 Florida vs #3 Florida State

On August 30, 2013, I attended my first athletic event as a student at the University of Florida. The game I went to featured two Top Ten heavyweights in the Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles, who were ranked #8 and #3 respectively. I was honored to be apart of the fifth largest crowd at James G. Pressly Stadium as 4,279 came out to watch the Sunshine Rivalry. The game remained a defensive battle early on until FSU's Dagny Brynjarsdottir scored two goals early.  Another goal from Michaela Hahn resulted in a 3-0 FSU lead at the half.

But the Gators did not roll over and submit to FSU.  They came out in the second half and they fought.  They managed to shut out the Seminoles in the second half and put a few more shots on goal as well.  Overall, I was impressed by the play of the Gators.  The score is not indicative of how great a game it actually was.  The Gators moved the ball well and Forward Savannah Jordan lived up to the hype.  The freshman, who has scored 5 of the 6 UF goals in this young season, played the entire game and proved she is a threat once she gets the ball.  Her blazing speed and feel for the game make her a crucial weapon to the Gators and I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that she is only a freshman!   UF's success this season will rely on her play.  The play of goalies Nora Neset Gjøen and Taylor Burke also impressed me as they made some dynamic saves in the game that ranged from jumping over FSU players to catch the ball or diving to leaping up to tip a ball over the net.  

 From what I saw tonight, UF has a resilient squad with a "never say die" attitude. Scheduling FSU this early in the season was a good move as the Gators will probably not play another team with a caliber as high as FSU's.  UF will look to rebound from this loss as they take on the Florida International University Golden Panthers in Miami at 7 p.m. on September 1st.

One last note: I was fortunate to be in the background of this GatorVision video when I was conversing with Savannah Jordan after the game tonight:  

http://www.gatorvision.tv/mediaPortal/player.dbml?catid=10017&id=3046038  

*Stats accredited to Gatorzone.com