GAINESVILLE, Florida – Junior Brooke Sharp's golden goal with 19 seconds remaining in the first overtime gave the University of Florida soccer team a 3-2 OT win over Oklahoma State Friday evening in front of 1,149 at the James G. Pressly Stadium.
Sharp's game winner started when freshman Briana Solis sent the ball into the box toward a pair of Gators at the far post. The ball deflected off an OSU defender and Sharp caught up with the loose ball. She took a touch right and then sent a low, right-footed shot to the far post corner at 99:41.
The Gators trailed early after Oklahoma State's Marlo Zoller tapped in the ball from two yards off the double assist from Christina Jean-Charles and Courtney Dike at 2:33.
Florida's first goal started when Christen Westphal brought the ball end line, then reversed to the top of the box. From the corner, she sent a ball to just above the six-yard box. Savannah Jordan and Laurene Tresfield collided as both went up for the ball at the far post, with both players tumbling to the pitch. The ball was loose in the box and Sharp's seven-yard left footed shot scored at the opposite post in the 27th minute.
A set play in the 38th minute gave the Gators their second goal. Senior Lauren Smith's corner kick was headed in to the far corner by junior Liz Slattery for her first goal of the season.
The Cowgirls tied the match in the 66th minute when Haley Woodard stepped in front of a Gator midfield pass and then quickly played it out to Courtney Dike who was streaking down the middle of the field. Dike took the ball into the box to score from 12 yards for her second goal of the season.
Stars of the Match:
Sharp's goal at 99:41 is the latest golden goal in the first overtime in Florida history. The previous was Adriana Leon's game winner at Auburn at 99:28.
Both Gator junior goal scorers tonight turned in their first scores of the season. Slattery's provided her with the sixth goal of her career and Sharp's double-goal night ups her career total to seven. It was the first double-goal match of Sharp's collegiate career.
It was Sharp's second goal in the final minute against the Cowgirls. Last season in Florida's 4-0 win at Oklahoma State, Sharp scored with 36 seconds remaining. Tonight, she scored the golden goal with 19 ticks left.
Worth Noting
Every Gator receiving a point tonight registered their first points of 2015:
First goal: Sharp and Slattery
First assist: Lauren Smith and Westphal
First start: Solis
Florida is 1-1 in overtime matches this season (1-0 OT loss at Ohio State on Aug. 23) and 37-17-30 all-time.
Records:
Florida: 4-1-0, 0-0 SEC
Oklahoma State: 2-2-0, 0-0 Big 12
What the Gators Said:
On Florida's mindset heading into overtime:
"I think the biggest thing we talked about heading into overtime was just getting back to playing Gator soccer because we sort of went away from that a little bit. I think we kind of fell into a little bit of their (Oklahoma State's) direct style of play, not that we were direct, but we were dribbling way too much. We weren't playing and moving, but in the overtime, we did a good job of that, and I think that's why we generated some opportunities." - Florida head coach Becky Burleigh
What did it feel like to win in overtime off your goal?
“It feels pretty good to win in overtime. It was a really stressful time to be tied 2-2 for 10 minutes so it was exciting to get the golden goal, and it was exciting to have the whole team excited at the end.” – junior Brooke Sharp
Did you sense an end like that?
“No I didn't. I just wanted to make sure that I was framing the goal. It was a corner kick so we were all framing the goal. I wasn't expecting us to score in the last 20 seconds, but I'm glad we did.” – junior Brooke Sharp
How does it feel to pull that game out like that?
It was an amazing feeling. Last 30 seconds of overtime doesn't get any better than that. We would have like to finished early but it was an exhilarating feeling for sure.” – senior Lauren Smith
You scored your first goal of the season tonight. Was scoring off a header something you've been working on?
“I've been working on heading. Every time there is a goal kick or a punt, I'm always trying to be the first one who touches it, so being able to finish a corner with a header was a really exciting thing for me. I've been working and working on getting up in the air before everyone. It was nice to have that assist (from Lauren Smith) and a great ball in.” – junior Liz Slattery
You came in and played in the middle of the two center backs most of the game, took a lot of the corner kicks. You played a big role in the win of this game with your assist.
“I was just happy to be out there and help in whatever way I can. We've been working a lot on corner kicks and mostly just finishing. I'm happy we were able to finish and come out with a win.” – senior Lauren Smith
On sticking with OSU throughout the game and pulling out a win:
"It's good for us to have an overtime win. That says a lot about our team to come back from the situation we were in. I think that where we have got to get better is not getting ourselves in that situation, but you have to give Oklahoma State credit for sticking the chances that they had." - Florida head coach Becky Burleigh
What do you think of tonight's result?
“I think it is really good for us. In the second half, we were a little rocky with our possession and I think we kind of weren't playing Gator soccer. We came out in the overtime, calmed down, collected ourselves and Brooke Sharp put away a great goal.” – junior Liz Slattery
On OSU defending well against Savannah Jordan:
"She had some great looks too. Obviously she's going to be the focal point for most teams' defenses, but I think that opened up some opportunities for someone like Brooke (Sharp)." - Florida head coach Becky Burleigh
On switching goalkeepers from Valerie Tysinger to Kaylan Marckese:
"It's important for us to get all our younger players some experience, and we had decided before the game that that was going to be a change we were going to make at halftime just to get Kaylan some game experience." - Florida head coach Becky Burleigh
Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida was second in the 2014 Southeastern Conference final standings with a 9-2 record. Texas A&M won the league title with a 9-1-1 record. OSU was second in the 2014 Big 12 with a 5-2-1 league record. West Virginia won the Big 12 with its 7-0-1 record.
Florida – The Gators are picked to win the 2015 Southeastern Conference title.
Oklahoma State– The Cowgirls are picked to finish third in the Big 12. West Virginia is picked to repeat as Big 12 champions in 2015.
Rankings:
Florida is ranked No. 8 on the September 1 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll.
Next up:
The top two teams in 2014 Southeastern Conference play open 2015 league action next Thursday. Defending league champion and No. 3 Texas A&M faces Florida at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Match time is set for 7 p.m. and admission is free for all Gator regular-season home matches.
· The first 500 fans Thursday get a free Florida Soccer Rally Towel!
· Rowdy Reptiles - be sure to check in to get points toward great prizes & rewards all year long!
· A complete list of promotions can be found at GatorZone.com.
The match also debuts Thursday Night Soccer on SEC Network (Gainesville/Ocala Cox cable channel 68 or 1068). Soccer fans can turn to the SEC Network each Thursday evening this season to see live league soccer action.
Thursday's match also will be streamed on SEC Network + and can be heard live on ESPN Gainesville 850AM/95.3FM or GatorZone.com.
No. 8 Florida (4-1-0, SEC 0-0-0) vs Oklahoma State (2-2-0, Big 12 0-0-0)
Stadium: James G. Pressly Stadium (1,149)
Weather: 78 degrees, cloudy, winds 5 MPH SW, 92 % humidity
| Goals by Period | 1 | 2 | OT | Total |
| Oklahoma State | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Florida | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Scoring Summary:
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Shots: Florida 25, OSU 7
Saves: Florida 0 (Valerie Tysinger 0/45 min.; Kaylan Marckese 0/55 min.); OSU 7 (Michela Ongara 7)
