PALO ALTO, Calif. – The University of Florida soccer team starts a challenging six-match road trip with two contests this weekend in the Golden State. The Gators open the weekend Friday at No. 3 Stanford. Match time is set for 11 p.m. ET at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. The UF-SU matchup is one of two meetings of top-10 teams in the nation this weekend (No. 7 West Virginia-No. 8 Clemson also on Friday).
This is Florida's third trip to Cagan Stadium since the 2014 season. The Gators went to overtime with the Cardinal in both 2104 visits. UF dropped a 1-0 overtime decision in early season action on Sept. 12. The Gators returned for 2014 NCAA Quarterfinal play, tying SU 2-2 2OT, but the Cardinal advanced to the NCAA College Cup with a 4-3 penalty kicks advantage.
This is the fifth meeting between the Cardinal and the Gators, with SU owning a 3-0-1 series advantage.
Here's how to follow the Gators
Both of Florida's matches this weekend air on the Pac-12 Network – at No. 3 Stanford (Friday at 11 p.m. ET) and at No. 15 UCLA (Sunday at 6 p.m. ET). Visit the
Pac-12 Network channel locator page to see where you can find the network in your area.
Adam Schick's call of Friday's match can be heard at ESPN Gainesville 850AM/95.3FM or on
FloridaGators.com.
In Last Weekend's Season Opening Action:
Florida opened the 2016 season Friday with a 5-2 home win over Iowa State. Five different Gators scored in the match. Sophomores
Mayra Pelayo and
Melanie Monteagudo provided the first half scores. In the second half, the Gators pushed the lead to 4-0 when
Sarah Troccoli and
Meggie Dougherty Howard scored within a two-minute span early in the second half. Then the Cyclones narrowed the lead to two, scoring twice within a 10-minute span. Senior
Savannah Jordan scored the final goal of the match in the 68
th minute.
Three of the goal scorers from Friday turned in goals again in Sunday's 3-0 win over Florida Atlantic. Just 36 seconds after entering match midway in the opening half, Monteagudo put in an eight-yard shot. Monteagudo was upended in the box almost six minutes later and Dougherty Howard successfully converted the penalty kick.
Jordan scored the final goal of the day, putting in the rebound off her penalty kick miss. That was the 67
th goal of her career, moving her past Gator Great
Danielle Fotopoulos to third on Florida's career goal chart. She also moved into a tie for fourth with Fotopoulos on the career points chart at 156. She was named the
Southeastern Conference Offensive Soccer Player of the Week on Monday after her eight-point weekend.
About Stanford:
Stanford opens its 2016 home season with Florida after claiming two wins last weekend on its East Coast trip. The Cardinal began the season with a 2-1 win at Navy and then took a 3-0 win at Georgetown on Sunday. Stanford returns nine starters from its 2015 team which reached the NCAA Quarterfinal Round.
Of the
11-player Hero Sports 2016 Preseason All-America team, four will be on the field Friday night. Three SU players appear on the team – Jane Campbell (goalkeeper), Maddie Bauer (defender) and Andi Sullivan (midfielder). Florida's Jordan is also on the team.
Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida swept the 2015 SEC regular-season titles. Stanford won the 2015 Pac-12 Conference title.
Florida – The Gators are picked to win the 2016 Southeastern Conference title.
SU – The Cardinal are picked to win the 2016 Pac-12 Conference title.
Rankings:
Florida is ranked No. 6 and Stanford is No. 3 on the latest
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll.
