KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The number two prevailed in Florida's win Sunday at then No. 11 Tennessee. In the second half, two Gator juniors each hit their second goal of the season to give UF the 2-1 victory. The match was played in front of 2,411, the second-highest attended match ever at UT's Regal Soccer Stadium.


 
How the Goals Were Scored:
After a scoreless opening half, junior Sarah Troccoli opened the second half scoring in the 55^th minute. Deanne Rose received ball at the top corner of the box and took a touch to explore her options. Her short pass found Troccoli in the middle of the box where she calmly one-touched it in from the penalty spot.
 
Tennessee tied the match in the 63^rd when Anna Bialczak headed in the long free kick from Katie Cousins.
 
The game-winning goal started in the 80^th minute when Briana Solis won the ball just inside the Vol half. She sent the ball forward to Madison Alexander standing about 10 yards above the box. Solis sprinted toward goal and Alexander sent the ball into the box. Solis caught up and then placed it in off a left-footed strike to the far post from 15 yards.
 
A bicycle kick save by Parker Roberts in the 36^th minute kept the match scoreless in the opening half. UF goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese collided with UT's Danielle Marcano just as Marcano took a shot in the box. As both players tumbled to the ground, the ball continued an arched path toward goal. Roberts followed the path of the ball and then perfectly executed a bicycle kick to keep the ball out of the Gator goal.
 
 
Worth Noting:

• Both Gator goals were the second of the season for each player. Troccoli scored her first Thursday in Florida's 2-0 win over Kentucky. Solis has scored both of her goals on the road, as her free kick in the 3-0 win at Georgia was also the game winner.
• With the win, Florida is now 5-5-1 all-time in matches played in Knoxville. After no wins in a six-match stretch of road meetings with Tennessee that began in 2001, Florida has taken wins in its last three visits to Regal Stadium (2013/3-0, 2015/2-1, 2017/2-1). Florida leads the all-time series 18-8-3.
• This is the ninth time in the all-time series history that both teams rank in the top-25 for a meeting. The last came in 2011 when then No. 12 Tennessee took a 4-2 win over then No. 6 Florida.
• For the first time in Florida's 23-year history, the Gators will face two different top-12 teams in Southeastern Conference regular-season action – and these meetings come in a five-day span. Florida defeated No. 11 Tennessee today and faces No. 3 South Carolina at home on Thursday.
• With one Southeastern Conference matches remaining for each team,  Florida is third in the league standings with 21 points off its 7-2 SEC record. 
• Florida wore pink Sunday to show their support for the fight against breast cancer.

Records:
Florida: 13-4-0, 7-2 SEC
Tennessee: 13-3-1, 5-3-1 SEC
 
  
What the Gators Said:
On today's match:
"We felt if we could break their initial line of pressure, we could get in behind them. It was happening in the first half, but we made a more concerted effort in the second half. It paid off as we had multiple opportunities.
 
"I thought our possession was the answer. We did a great job of keeping the ball. The combination play was very difficult for them to deal with. I thought their goalkeeper made some great saves, Kaylan [Marckese] made a couple of big saves too. It was a classic late-in-the-season SEC meeting between two good teams." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
 
On Parker Roberts' bicycle kick save:
"It was funny because we talk about bikes [bicycle kicks] in practice a lot. So for her to do it today to save a goal was pretty amazing." – Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh
 
Rankings:
Florida ranks No. 20 on the United Soccer Coaches poll and Tennessee is No. 11.
 
Next up:
The Gators finish regular-season action Thursday with No. 3 South Carolina. Match is at 7 p.m. at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium and admission is free.
 
It is Gator Senior Night and the careers of Kristen Cardano, Jessie Holmes, Cassie Owens and Gabby Seiler will be celebrated in a pre-match ceremony. The first 500 fans receive a Gator soccer scarf.
 
The SEC Network carries Thursday's match live, with Gator Great Heather Mitts and Jenn Hildreth calling the action.
 
Watch the match on SEC Network + or listen to Kyle Crooks' call at GatorVision.com.
 
Florida (13-4-0, 7-2 SEC) vs Tennessee (13-3-1, 5-3-1 SEC)
Stadium: Regal Soccer Stadium (2,411)
Weather: 73 degrees, winds SSE 4 mph mph, 49% humidity
 

Goals by Period	1	2		Total
Florida	0	2		2
Tennessee	0	1		1

 
Scoring Summary:

No.	Time	Team	Goal Scorer	Assist	Description
1.	54:02	UF	Sarah Troccoli	Deanne Rose	From penalty spot to keeper's right
2.	62:10	UT	Anna Bialczak	Katie Cousins	Header of long free kick
3.	79:34	UF	Briana Solis	Madison Alexander	Through ball from right

 
Shots: Florida 12, Tennessee 11
Saves: Florida 4 (Kaylan Marckese 3, TEAM 1), Tennessee 6 (Shae Yanez 6)