The Gator’s decade long win-streak over Ole Miss was snapped Thursday night after the Rebel’s huge 3-2 victory over No. 19 Florida.
Coming off a 3-0 loss to No. 15 Arkansas last week, Matt Mott’s squad was eager to put the Hogs behind them and put points on the board early in the first half. Despite their efforts, the Rebels struggled to break down the Gator defense in the attacking third. In the 24th minute, Florida capitalized on an advantage in numbers, and Madison Alexander put the Gators up first with a goal from inside the box.
Fourteen minutes later, Channing Foster announced her presence, and Ole Miss responded.
After a quick throw-in, Julia Phillips found Sydney Michalak, who whipped a bending cross towards the far post. Saydie Holland got to the ball first, flicked it to Foster, who then buried the shot into the far corner of the net and then proceeded to celebrate with about eight backflips.
With the score tied at 1-1, both teams headed in at halftime.
Ole Miss came out of the gates swinging in the second half. Lonnie Mulligan picked off the Gators in the attacking third and beat Florida Goalkeeper Susi Espinoza to the far post making the score 2-1 Rebs. However, the lead was short-lived, as Cassidy Lindley equalized for the Gators in the 48th minute.
Once again, the Rebels answered. After Florida committed a foul about 35 yards from the goal, Haleigh Stackpole signed, sealed, and delivered the ball to Molly Martin, who rose to the occasion and headed it over Espinoza’s hands into the net giving Ole Miss a 3-2 lead.
After Martin’s goal, it was game on. In the final fifteen, Florida threw everything they had at Ashley Orkus and threatened her with chances on several different occasions. But, each time, no matter what the Gators threw at her, Orkus was up to the task and kept the lead intact, securing her team its first ranked win of the season.
The 8-3-2 Rebs travel to Athens on Sunday to face Georgia at 2 p.m.
