by Jose Sanchez

            Soccer has many unsolved mysteries that tell the beauty of this game. One of them is: how can a team lose a game when controlled the flow of play the majority of the game? A question that has many answers: defensive mistakes, solid rival’s backline, when the rival is opportunistic on corners or free kicks, etc. These three answers may apply to the 3-0 victory on the road by the Auburn Tigers over the Florida Gators.

            Both teams started the game standing on the pitch in a 4-2-3-1 lineup. Another thing about soccer is that there is not a specific lineup for certain style of play. Why? Because the Tigers displayed a counterattack style of play while the Gators played a positional game through the possession of the ball.

            In the first half, the Gators struggled to let the ball flow properly. Sophomore Briana Solis — for the second game in a row — was the team’s compass. She has the ability to drag rivals while she has the ball to open passing lanes for her teammates. And also her mental quickness to associate with other players through one-touch passes is outstanding.

            The defensive work by Courtney Schell on Gabby Seiler and Meggie Dougherty Howard was crucial for the Tigers to control play in the last third of the pitch. Schell was able to anticipate and intercept passes. It is also important to point out ball pressure and staggering ball driving showed by Kristen Dodson as she drew a penalty with three Gators marking her. Unfortunately for her team, Brooke Ramsier missed the penalty.

            Later in the first half, Kaylan Marckese tried to pass the ball with her feet, but Dodson intercepted the ball quickly and scored the first goal of the match thanks to a tap-in.

            In the second half, the Gators started to accelerate the pace of the game while driving the ball on quick transitions through the wings. Mayra Pelayo, who only played for 43 minutes, provided danger with her amazing footwork when dribbling the ball. The Gators made noise thanks to her crosses to the rival’s box.

            Offensively, the Gators started to recover the ball faster in comparison to the first half and create more opportunities from both long and short distances. But great interventions by Sarah Le Beau — Tigers’ goalkeeper — saved her team in crucial moments. The Tigers were able to add to the score when Schell headed in a corner kick in the 83^rd minute.

            Less than three minutes later, Marckese tried to deflect the ball in a one-on-one situation against Dodson. The Tigers’ forward again won the personal duel and scored the third goal.

            The Gators will try to recover from this loss when they play at home against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET. While the Tigers will try to keep up the momentum gained on this road victory when they travel to Athens, Ga., to face the Georgia Bulldogs at 2 p.m. ET.

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