After losing in the final minutes to UCF on Thursday night, the Florida Gators soccer team looked to bounce back on the road.
Florida (3-2) took home the victory against the Maryland Terrapins (4-2) 3-1 on Sunday afternoon behind redshirt freshman forward Addy Hess’ two goals.
Both teams were aggressive early, as each side logged two shots apiece in the first nine minutes.
UF redshirt sophomore forward Megan Hinnenkamp recorded the first two attempts at just nine minutes in. One was blocked and the other was saved, both by Maryland redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Faith Luckey, who finished the match with eight saves.
Terrapins sophomore midfielder Ellie Egeland shared the same ambition, getting Maryland’s first two attempts on goal in eight minutes from the start, but both were saved by UF redshirt sophomore goalie Paloma Peña. Peña finished with three saves on the day.
For the second time this season, it was the Gators who struck first.
At minute 13, redshirt senior midfielder Charlotte McClure found the top right of the net, giving Florida a 1-0 lead. The former Virginia Cavalier scored for the first time in a Gator uniform.
Florida remained on the prowl for the rest of the first half with six shots in the last quarter of play.
Three came from senior forward Njeri Butts, all of which missed high. The other three came from freshman forward Katie Johnston, two of which were blocked while one was saved by Luckey.
Meanwhile, Maryland only had one opportunity the rest of the first half, but Peña blocked Egeland’s third attempt at minute 35.
The Gators outshot the Terrapins 9-4 in the first half and went into the break with a 1-0 advantage.
Florida kept its momentum in the second half, with two corners and a shot attempt by McClure at minute 48, but the ball missed above the net.
However, the Gators got their best opportunity at minute 52 with a penalty kick. Hess took the chance and found her first collegiate goal, extending Florida’s lead to two scores.
Meanwhile, Maryland failed to earn a shot attempt in the second half until eight minutes in. Redshirt junior forward Kelsey Smith fired but missed high to the left of the net.
The Terrapins needed one more attempt to get on the board. At minute 57, redshirt junior defender Tahirah Turnage-Morales found the bottom left of the goal, cutting the Gators’ lead to one goal.
Maryland had another chance just three minutes later from junior forward Lisa McIntyre, but the shot was saved low center by UF redshirt junior keeper Jayden Emmanuel, who finished the game with two saves.
Florida had another opportunity to respond at minute 68, but Johnston’s third attempt was saved in the low center of the net by Luckey, who finished the afternoon with six saves.
In the final quarter, Maryland had a late chance with a free kick, but the shot by senior defender Alyssa Abramson was saved by Emmanuel.
The Gators scored their third goal just two minutes later. Hess’s second score of the game found the bottom center of the net, making it a two-goal match.
For the remainder of the match, Florida held on defensively and outshot the Terrapins 21-8 for the afternoon, securing its first road win of the season.
The Gators will be back home at Donald R. Disney Stadium on Thursday night at 7 against Florida Gulf Coast University.
Contact Adrian Carmona at acarmona@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @abcarmona04.
Adrian Carmona is a third-year journalism major and the Summer 2025 baseball reporter. In his spare time, he enjoys completing Sporcle quizzes and ranting about Miami sports.
