AUSTIN, Texas – A goal in the final 10 minutes spoiled Florida’s strong effort Sunday, as Texas won 3-2 Sunday afternoon in front of 1,133 at the Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field.
It was Florida’s second one-goal loss for its trip to the Lone Star State, as UF lost 2-1 Thursday off a late Baylor goal.
“I just told our team I’m so proud of them because I thought this game in particular we fought really, really hard and they executed our game plan very well. You know, the ball hits the crossbar with like 30 seconds left, this game is totally different,” Florida Head Coach Samantha Bohon said. “But I’m really, really proud of the progress we keep making game after game after game. And eventually it’s gonna pay off but even still, there’s a lot of payoff even though we didn’t get the result.
Sunday’s scoring:
The Gators took the early lead in the 11thth minutes. Senior Kouri Peace drove down the left side. Fellow senior Tessa Barton one-touched in Peace’s cross from about 12 yards from the middle.
The lead was short lived. UT’s Lexi Missimo brought the ball down the center of the field and sent it left to Liz Worden located just above the top of the box. Her through ball was hit from 15 yards by Trinity Byars to tie the match at 12:00.
The Longhorns took the lead in the 25thth minutes. Byars received the ball in the middle of the box and then touched it to Emma Regan as she approached the top of the box. Regan’s right-footed shot scored at the far post top corner.
Florida’s Julianne Leskauskas tied up the match late in the opening half. The ball was sent in off a free kick from the top of the Gator half to the Longhorn box. Sophie White battled a Longhorn for possession. Leskauskas pounced on the opportunity when the ball popped away. Her sliding left foot touched the ball in from 16 yards at 42:46.
The game-winning goal came in the 80thth minutes. Liz Worden’s endline cross was headed in by Byars to score at the near post for her second goal of the afternoon.
Texas is receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll.
Looking for a Ride:
Florida was forced to find alternative transportation to the field Sunday afternoon. After it was loaded up at the team hotel with luggage, players and staff, the bus refused to start. So the Gator staff quickly got on cell phones to hail rides. Those vehicles delivered all of the Gators and staff to the field in time for warm up.
Records:
Florida: 1-3-0, 0-0-0 SEC
Texas: 2-1, 0-0-0 Big 12
Series Record:
Texas leads: 1-0-1
What Coach Bohon Said:
On this afternoon’s result:
“I just told our team I’m so proud of them because I thought this game in particular we fought really, really hard and they executed our game plan very well. You know, the ball hits the crossbar with like 30 seconds left, this game is totally different. Thursday night we gave up a goal late and that’s soccer. So we’ve got to keep working because I think you earn your luck a little bit.
“But I’m really, really proud of the progress we keep making game after game after game. And eventually it’s gonna pay off but even still, there’s a lot of payoff even though we didn’t get the result. They should be really proud of the 10 standards that we set for our team. I think we checked a lot of those boxes today. Obviously we’d love to have come away with a result.” – Florida Head Coach Samantha Bohon
Home opener on Thursday:
“I can’t wait to play a real game at The Diz and be able to have a home crowd. We hope that everyone will come out and support us because I think they’ll be proud of this team with the fight and the effort that these ladies put in day in and day out. I’m really proud to be their coach.” – Florida Head Coach Samantha Bohon
Next Up:
Florida starts a two-match homestand against in-state rivals.
Thursday, Sept. 1 versus South Florida
Time/Site: 6 pm ET at Donald R. Disney Stadium (1,500)
TV: SEC Network + Kyle Crooks and Matthew Stubbington with the call
Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM – Nevada Cullen and Marty Pallman with the call
Live Stats
Tickets: Free
Sunday, Sept. 4 versus Florida State
Time/Site: 6 pm ET at Donald R. Disney Stadium (1,500)
TV: SEC Network + Kyle Crooks and Matthew Stubbington with the call
Radio: ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM with action called by Kyle Crooks
Live Stats
Tickets: Free
RV Texas (2-1, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Florida (1-3-0, SEC 0-0-0)
Stadium: Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field (1,133)
Weather: 94 degrees, winds SSE at 9 mph
| Goals by Period | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Florida | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Texas | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Scoring Summary:
| No. | Time | Team | Goal Scorer | Assist |
| 1. | 10:31 | UF | Tessa Barton | Kouri Peace |
| 2. | 12:00 | UT | Trinity Byars | Liz Worden, Lexi Missimo |
| 3. | 23:17 | UT | Emma Regan | Trinity Byars, Lauren Lapomarda |
| 4. | 42:46 | UF | Julianne Leskauskas | |
| 5. | 79:22 | UT | Trinity Byars | Liz Worden |
Shots: Texas 19, Florida 13
Saves: Texas 6 (Savannah Madden 6), Florida 5 (Alexa Goldberg 5)
Offsides: Texas 3, UF 0
Cautions: none