By Official Florida FC

The University of Florida is now 1-4-1 on the season following a program-equaling fourth straight setback. The latest loss came at home on Friday night against a Tennessee (3-3-1) squad that had yet to win a road match this season.

The youthful Gators, who started three freshmen and two sophomores, lost 2-1. Three of Florida’s losses this season have come by a single goal.

Tennessee created a litany of chances off set pieces. None of the Volunteers’ 13 corner kicks directly resulted in a goal. But, the visitors continued to pepper the Gators defense with chances.

Tennessee’s Claudia Dipasupil scored the opener in the 27th minute, then assisted Jaida Thomas’ third goal of the season in the 70th to put the game away.

Florida’s Maddie Rhodes, a freshman from Vero Beach, scored her second goal of the season in the 81st minute. But, the Gators couldn’t find an equalizer.

“I just think we have to be more consistent,” Florida women’s soccer coach Becky Burleigh said afterward. “We did have some good chances for sure and that’s promising, but I think at the same time we gave Tennessee a little bit too many opportunities ourselves. So we have to clean it up on both sides, both defensively and offensively.”