Sept. 22, 2016
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Auburn picked a great time to play its most complete match of the season in a 3-0 victory at No. 12 Florida on Thursday night. Kristen Dodson netted a brace and Courtney Schell added another to guide the Tigers (6-4-0, 2-1-0 SEC) to their first win in Gainesville in program history.
"I couldn't be more proud of our team the way we bounced back after our South Carolina game," said head coach Karen Hoppa. "With the bounce-back and the perseverance this team showed, I thought we played great soccer, especially the first 30 minutes. We were doing what we were capable of doing and we just grinded out the victory in the second half."
Auburn's 3-0 margin of victory was the largest it has ever had versus Florida (6-3-0, 1-2-0) and marks the first time the Tigers have shutout the Gators on the road all-time.
The Auburn back line also held all-american forward Savannah Jordan without a shot on goal.
"The back line kept everything in front of us, no matter what," said Kiana Clarke. "Our midfielders did a great job doubling down."
Dodson put Auburn ahead 1-0 in the 24th minute after she forced a defensive miscue and poked a shot across the line to give the Tigers a lead they would maintain into the break.
The Gators nearly leveled the score line in the 60th minute, but Sarah Le Beau made a one-on-one save on a shot from six yards out.
Auburn doubled its lead when Brooke Ramsier sent in a corner that found the head of Schell, who fired it to the near post and by the goalkeeper in the 83rd minute.
"I knew the second goal was coming for us sooner or later," said Schell. "Brooke [Ramsier] hit a great ball, I found it on my head and went in, luckily."
Just two minutes later, Dodson netted her second of the match when she stole the ball from the advanced goalkeeper again and slotted a shot into the net from 35 yards out and capped the score at 3-0 just before the final whistle sounded.
"I just continued to pressure the keeper and she couldn't get the ball out of her feet fast enough," stated Dodson. "I just got a touch on it and was able to put it into the back of the net."
The three-goal victory for Auburn also goes down as Florida's largest home defeat ever in conference play.
"Florida is an incredible program," said Hoppa. "That's the reason this win is so special."
The Tigers return to the field on Sunday when they head to Athens, Ga. for a duel with Georgia. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.