By Official Florida FC
Cassidy Lindley scored her first goal of 2020, but it was not enough for the University of Florida women’s soccer team to extend its season in the second round of the SEC Tournament on Sunday afternoon.
Bella Alessi’s 72nd minute goal helped Missouri beat the Gators 2-1.
“In the end, we need to be able to play in whatever conditions and under whatever pressure,” said Florida soccer coach Becky Burleigh afterward. “If we want to be the team we anticipate that we can be, we have to be able to impose our style of play on our opponent. Tonight we did not do that.”
Florida finished with a 2-7-1 record. Meanwhile, Missouri (4-4-2) advanced to the quarterfinals to face reigning SEC Tournament champion South Carolina.
The Gators lost seven straight games, before upsetting Kentucky in penalty kicks in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Friday night. They could not conjure a second comeback 48 hours later.
“You have to give credit to Florida,” Missouri head coach Bryan Blitz said after the match. “It’s so difficult to win in the SEC Tournament – you can’t take any opponent for granted. Our seniors really led us tonight. I thought Macy (Trujillo) and Bella (Alessi) were outstanding. Even (Momola Adesanmi) made a big difference with her play on defense.”
Missouri’s Macy Trujillo opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Lindley equalized four minutes later; but, the Gators only managed one more shot on goal in the final 70 minutes of the match.
“This is an opportunity for us to take a pause, get refreshed, get people coming back fit and ready to roll,” Burleigh said. “Once we get back in January, really focus on having a great mentality that would go along with our ability to play the way we want to play.”
