South Carolina’s Eugene E. Stone III Stadium is nicknamed “The Graveyard.”
It’s supposed to be where opponents’ dreams come to die.
And with Florida’s 1-0 double overtime loss on Sunday, Stone claimed another victim.
The No. 17 Gators (10-4, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) came in trying to defend a four-game winning streak while No. 2 South Carolina (14-0-1, 8-0 SEC) was riding 13 consecutive wins.
“It was a really competitive game with two top teams battling each other,” UF coach Becky Burleigh said in a release.
“I’m sure it was fun to watch because there definitely were some moments when both teams had their chances.”
Both teams started the game slow on offense, going into halftime scoreless.
In the second half, both teams got good looks on offense but weren’t able to capitalize due to both sides' stifling defensive efforts.
So for the third time in four years, it took double overtime to determine a winner.
And Florida flinched first.
In the 103rd minute, redshirt junior Kristen Cardano fouled South Carolina’s Chelsea Drennan in the box, giving her the opportunity for a penalty kick.
She capitalized.
Drennan shot the ball over the hands of Florida goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese, giving the Gamecocks their 14th-consecutive win — a new program record — and keeping their hopes of an undefeated season alive.
The Gators are now 2-2 in games decided by overtime this season.
The match also marked the third time this season that Florida has been shut out after its 1-0 overtime loss at then-No. 4 Stanford on Aug. 26 and its 3-0 home loss to Auburn on Sept. 22.
But while the loss might sting, the Gators must mend their problems quickly and turn their attention to their next SEC game.
Florida will travel back to Gainesville to host Alabama on Thursday and Missouri on Sunday.
“I think we learned a lot about ourselves,” Burleigh said.
“Tonight we learned more and we’re going to continue to develop and grow aiming towards the postseason.”
Contact Lauren Staff at lstaff@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @lstaff27.
Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during Florida's 5-2 win over Iowa State on Aug. 19 at James G. Pressly Stadium.
