GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Vanderbilt outshot tenth-ranked Florida 19-13 but couldn’t convert on its opportunities as the Gators won 5-1 in front of 494 fans Sunday afternoon at James G. Pressly Stadium.
The loss drops Vanderbilt to (6-3-1, 0-2 SEC) while Florida improves to (8-3-0, 2-0 SEC).
VU nearly took a 1-0 lead at the 12:30 mark when Candace West’s shot hit off the far side of the post and over the outstretched arms of Florida’s goalie Katie Franine. The ball than ricocheted off the post out in front of the net and Chelsea Stewart had another great opportunity to score but her shot was gathered by Fraine in front of the net.
Vanderbilt and Florida went back-and-forth in the first-half as both teams tried to maintain possession. The ‘Dores outshot the Gators 5-3 through the game’s first 23 minutes.
The Commodores had another great opportunity to take an early lead at the 25:00 mark when Nicole Lukens’ shot sailed over the net. The play was set up by a beautiful cross by CJ Rhoades to Lukens who found an open window 12-yards in front of the net.
Florida got on the scoreboard first, when Tahnai Annis fired a shot into the back of the net at the 33:13 mark. Annis’ goal was set up by a cross from Nicky Kit.
The Gators extended its lead to 2-0, when McKenzie Barney scored from six-yards out. The UF goal was set up when VU’s goalkeeper Rachel Bachtel mishandled a cross, allowing the ball to go in the direction of Barney who followed it up with her first goal of the season.
Besides the score, Vanderbilt had its chances in the first half as they outshot the Gators 7-6 in the opening stanza. Lukens, Stewart and West had two shots a piece during the first half.
Florida extended its lead to 3-0 at the 51:19 mark, when Jessica Eicken scored on a header off a corner kick from Kit.
Two minutes later, Candace West nearly put the ‘Dores on the board when her shot with the right foot sailed wide right.
Florida tacked on another goal at the 65:09 mark, making it 4-0 when Erika Tymrak scored from 10-yards off an assist by Annis. The Gators’ added its fifth and final goal of the game when Barney scored off an Annis assists at the 82:50 mark.
Vanderbilt got on the scoreboard with 46 seconds left on the clock when Megan Forester fired a shot into the lower left corner of the net. The goal was Forester’s second goal of the season. Kristine Chaklos was credited with her first assist of the season on Forester’s goal.
The Commodores will return to the friendly confines of the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex next weekend as they play host to instate-rival Tennessee on Friday before hosting Georgia on Sunday. The game with the Lady Vols will start at 7 p.m. CT while the game with the Bulldogs will be 2 p.m. tilt.
