With less than 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Florida launched a free kick from just past midfield into the box. The ball flew into a sea of players but fell to the feet of Gators freshman forward Lena Bailey,who slotted it into the back of the net.
The goal gave the Gators a lead they’d never surrender and marked Florida’s 200th SEC win in program history.
The Florida Gators (6-5-4, 2-4-2 SEC) defeated the Auburn Tigers (6-6-4, 2-4-2 SEC) 1-0 Thursday evening at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. The victory marked the team’s second SEC victory of the season.
Both teams came out with aggression and fought to keep possession in the first 15 minutes of the half.
Florida freshman forward Megan Hinnenkamp ran the ball down the field and passed to redshirt junior forward Tori Grambo. Grambo took the shot from the far left wing, but Auburn's defense applied pressure, deflecting the ball out of bounds.
As the game progressed, the Gators took control of the ball and applied the majority of the remaining pressure.
In the 23rd minute, Grambo attempted to make an on goal shot to the bottom center of the net, but Tigers senior goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska made the save.
Auburn had a few attacking opportunities but could not capitalize on any of them. The Gators outshot the Tigers seven shots to three in the first half.
UF freshman forward Amelia Malkin maneuvered around defenders to attempt a goal to the bottom center of the net, but Prohaska managed her third save of the night.
The Tigers had an opportunity with 11 minutes remaining to attempt a corner kick, but
Florida senior goalkeeper Alexa Goldberg jumped to the high left of the net and caught the right wing shot.
The UF offense capitalized in the final minute of the game. The Gators attempted a corner kick and Bailey got on the ball and put it in the back of the net for the first score of the game. This was her fourth goal of the season.
“When I get in, just be the spark and finish everything,” Bailey said. “Especially when it’s inside the box.”
Auburn came out with much more aggression into the second half, but Florida continued to hold strong defensive pressure.
In the 62nd minute, Tigers junior forward Carly Thatcher shot from the far right wing, but Goldberg made the first save of the second half in the bottom right of the net.
The Tigers continued to apply pressure on the ball which forced Florida to play in its defensive end. Both teams had four shots on goal during the second half.
UF senior forward Tessa Barton came down the far left wing and attempted a kick, but Auburn senior defender Mallory Mooney blocked it.
Just two minutes later, Hinnenkamp took control of the ball in a one-on-one play, took a shot but shot far left and wide.
In the final five minutes, Thatcher shot a strike from distance in an attempt to make a goal for Auburn. Goldberg managed her third save in the air, tipping it right over the crossbar.
Florida traded possession with Auburn down the stretch but held the score to 1-0.
“To get three points going into the last week of the regular season is really huge for us,” said UF head coach Samantha Bohon. “I’m really proud of the girls.”
Florida will face the Vanderbilt Commodores at 2 p.m. Sunday on the road. The match will be broadcast on SEC Network.
Contact Hailey Hurst at hhurst@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @haileyjhurst.
Hailey Hurst is a second-year journalism major with a focus in sports media and a sports reporter for The Alligator. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and cheering for Miami sports teams.
