The UF mens soccer team played its final game of the national tournament today against Ohio State. Ohio state came out strong, asserting a physical and high pressure game from the whistle. The opponents recieved the ultimate payoff for their efforts, taking advantage of a gator misstep on an early corner and powering in a loose ball. The gators played strong throughout the first half but were continually on the back foot, unable to win challenges in the air from disciplined competition. After multiple calls fell against the gators and opponents began to use dirty tactics, tensions were high and arguments commenced all around. The half ended 1-0 after hard fought battles from both sides. The gators changed their formation in the second half in order to try and create more attacking chances, using defensive midfielder Bryan Russ as the stronghold of a midfield in a 4-3-1-2 formation. Early on Fraser Houston and Nate Phillips combined with a cheeky back pass launching Phillips on goal, but the shot was stuffed by an on hand buckeye keeper. The Gators adjusted to the physical game using Kevin Harvey and Hwang Marino as bulldozers up top, and challenges began to fall the Gators way in a very physical game. In an unfortunate collide at the back, the opponents were able to take advantage of two Gator defense players miscommunication and slot in a second, after which a classless buckeye proceeded to preform a Gator chomp in his celebration. Enraged by the opponents disrespect and the chance of being knocked out of the tournament, the Gators went forward full force and gave it their all. A free kick landed their way with 10 minutes left just outside of the box. Houston placed the dead ball nearly in the top corner, but a fully stretched keeper was able to palm it down. However, Warren Glotzbach, having watched multiple Rocky Balboa films on his solo plane trip to the game only hours earlier, crashed on to the loose ball and hit home one for the Gators. UF continued to fight with everything until the very end. Through blood, sweat, and tears, the game ended 2-1, ending the Gators tournament. A huge thank you goes out to all of our supporters this season, without you none of this could be possible. Thank you for keeping up with our team and encouraging us along the way. As former coach and founder A. C. Moore says: When God counts up our time on earth, he leaves out that spent playing soccer and we have all enjoyed every second of soccer this season. The Gators finished with a final record of 15-2-2.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 00:14:55 +0000
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