The game went to a penalty kick shootout. It came down to sophomore Melanie Monteagudo, who was able to get her kick past Missouri's goalkeeper, advancing Florida to the SEC Semifinals on Wednesday night.
Monteagudo’s production on offense saved Florida from being eliminated in its first SEC Tournament game.
Her first goal came In the 14th minute, when Mayra Pelayo lofted a pass to Sarah Troccoli who caught Monteagudo in stride in front of the Tigers’ box. Monteagudo dribbled the ball in front of Missouri’s goalkeeper before tieing up the game with a goal to the right side of the net.
Two minutes after halftime, Monteagudo scored again, putting the Gators up 3-1 over the Tigers.
Though they were in control of the game, the Gators’ lead made their defense comfortable, and Missouri took advantage.
Within one minute during the second half, the Tigers put two goals in the net, erasing Florida’s two-goal lead.
When neither team was able to score in the next 28 minutes, the game went into overtime, and then double overtime, and then the shootout.
The last time that Florida went to penalty kicks was the 2007 NCAA second round against UCF.
On Wednesday, it took 14 penalty kicks before either team missed one.
Missouri’s Savannah Trujillo was the first player to flinch.
Her shot was saved by Florida’s goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese before Monteagudo scored.
Now that the Gators have advanced past Missouri, Florida will only have one day to rest before taking on No. 2 South Carolina in the semifinals, who beat UF in double overtime on Oct. 16.
The Gators will play the Gamecocks at 4:30 p.m. on Friday on the SEC Network.
UF forward/midfielder Melanie Monteagudo dribbles down the field during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.
