The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference
The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference

Gators oust Tigers on penalty kicks

1856 days ago
Florida Athletics

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - Florida soccer withstood playing the final 54 minutes of Southeastern Conference opening round play versus Auburn a man-down. Then the Gators posted a dominant penalty kick performance to claim a SEC Tournament quarterfinal spot.

The Gators advance 2-1 on penalty kicks after the two teams played to a 1-1 double overtime tie Sunday at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

With the result, Florida moves ahead to face top-seeded Vanderbilt in Tuesday's SEC Tournament quarterfinal round. That match is the third of the day and airs live on the SEC Network at 6 p.m. ET.

Sunday's Action:

Florida took the early lead when sophomore Madison Alexander was awarded a penalty kick in the 20th minute. Alexander scored on the penalty kick - the first awarded to Florida in 2018 - to put UF ahead.

After senior Sarah Troccoli received a red-card in the 57th minute, the Gators were forced to finish with 10 players.

The Tigers tied the match in the 74th minute when Taylor Troutman headed in an Angeline Daly corner kick.

After two overtime periods, the match went to penalty kicks. The Tigers took the first shot, with Kaylan Marckese making the stop. Marckese then stepped in to take Florida's first penalty, hitting a successful shot. Auburn missed its first three PKs and Florida's Tess Sapone was successful in the third position.

When Marckese made the stop on Rocio Sanders' attempt in the fifth position, the Gators rushed to celebrate the penalty kick win with Marckese.

Notes:

  • Florida is now 2-5 in penalty kick situations at the SEC Tournament. The Gators have advanced on their last two PK situations, as UF moved on over Missouri in 2016 SEC quarterfinal play. Marckese has been in goal for both of UF's SEC Tournament penalty kick advancements.
  • Florida and Auburn now have played overtime five times in the all-time 28-match series and this was the second in SEC Tournament play. Florida lost in PKs to Auburn in its first SEC Tournament appearance in 1995.

2018 Records:

Florida: 6-9-4, 4-4-2 SEC

Auburn: 12-5-2, 4-5-1 SEC

Series Record:

Florida leads 17-9-2.

The Gators are now 5-2-2 versus the Tigers in SEC Tournament action.