Sophomore transfer Parker Roberts, a former Kansas Jayhawk, knew heading into the weekend that Florida’s road game against Iowa State would present a unique challenge.
Roberts saw action in Ames, Iowa, her freshman season. A very specific aspect of that match stuck out in her mind: the turf field.
“It’s different,” Roberts said. “I remember going there, and it was just so much faster ... But I think we’ll be able to adapt pretty easily."
The adaptation may have taken about 45 minutes, but the No. 7 Gators (7-1) ultimately made it in a 2-1 victory in extra time against the Cyclones (2-6-1).
Coach Becky Burleigh said the circumstances leading up to and during Sunday’s match made it a challenge to adjust.
“It was just one of those grind-it-out Sunday games,” Burleigh said in a release. “Different surface. Tough turnaround. I think our team handled it better than on the Seattle trip so from that point of view, I think we grew.”
Florida started off sluggish in its match against the Cyclones. A 14th-minute corner from Iowa State found an open attacker about 15 yards from goal. The volley was smashed into the ground, caught a deflection just in front of UF goalie Kaylan Marckese and bounced lightly into the right corner to give Iowa State a 1-0 lead.
Through the first half, the Gators only managed two shots on goal to the Cyclones’ four. After regrouping to begin the second half, however, Florida's attack seemed to gain traction.
The Gators earned a corner kick in the 54th minute, and captain Gabby Seiler drove the ball in to freshman Deanne Rose. Following a fight for the ball at the near post, Rose eventually tapped it in for the tying score.
The Canadian national team phenom hadn’t found the back of the net since Florida’s home opener on Aug. 20, but she was able to break that streak with a two-goal performance against the Cyclones.
Rose’s second came just six minutes into extra time. Rose made a run into the 18-yard box on a breakaway and was on the receiving end of a well-placed pass from Roberts. Rose hit it on her first touch, firmly lofting the ball with her left foot over the diving Iowa State goalie and into the center of the net for the game-winner.
Burleigh complimented her team’s ability to turn in a positive performance during extra time.
“Once we went into overtime, we talked about situational play,” Burleigh said. “We practice situational play every single week. So we were kind of laughing about it, ‘Hey, we get situational practice against someone besides ourselves.’”
The Gators will hit the road once again Thursday for a night matchup against Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.
You can follow Morgan McMullen on Twitter @MorganMcMuffin, and contact him at mmcmullen@alligator.org.
UF forward Deanne Rose collects the ball during Florida's 2-1 win against Syracuse on Aug. 27 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
