By: Jose Sanchez

            The Florida Gators bounced back with a 2-0 win over the Tennessee Volunteers with a goal each from Savannah Jordan and Sammie Betters. The UF win ended Tennessee’s three-match win streak – with each of those wins coming in a shutout.

            The Gators found their pace early in the match. Thanks to players like Samantha Chung — on the right wing — and Gabby Seiler, the Gators had staggering ball runs through the last third of the pitch. They pushed the Volunteers on their area while moving the ball from one corner to the other. Early shots by Seiler gave a great sign on the offensive department for the Gators. But the great anticipation and solidity by Shae Yanez, who was substituted in the second half, the Volunteers were able to keep a clean sheet.

            The Volunteers tried to be offensive through quick transitions from the inside to the outside. Michele Christy showed great ball control when working under pressure in the Volunteers’ midfield, which let other players have open lanes when running the ball. Emily Morrow, Volunteers’ left back, was constantly incorporating in the midfield to give more support in the creative plays. But Meggie Dougherty Howard’s strength on the ball recovery did not let the Volunteers control the pace of the game.

            Jordan made dangerous cuts inside the area that were stopped by the good defensive performance of Maya Neal, who spent almost the whole game marking Jordan. In the 69^th minute, Jordan found the goal when Chung one-touched forward a Tennessee clearance attempt. Jordan beat her personal mark in a one-on-one situation to score her eighth goal of the season.

            From that point on, everything was in favor for the Gators. They let the ball flow from one corner to the other. With less than two minutes on the clock, Sarah Troccoli passed the ball to Sammie Betters, who looked up and saw an opportunity. Her 23-yard shot curled in at the far post upper corner for her first goal of her collegiate career.

            The Gators will be back on the road when they face LSU at Baton Rouge, La., on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the Volunteers will be back at home to face Vanderbilt that same day at 7 p.m. ET. 

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