TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of Florida soccer team lost 2-1 to No. 6 and defending NCAA champion Florida State Friday evening in front of 3,154 at the Seminole Soccer Complex.
Florida struck first in the 53rd minute when Tess Sapone gained possession of a Seminole clearance attempt. Her right-footed volley scored from 14 yards for her first goal of her senior season.
Four minutes later, FSU tied the match.
Florida goalkeeper Susi Espinoza was looking for an offsides call that never came and FSU’s Katie McFarland scored on an empty net in the 57th minute.
The go-ahead goal came in the 71st minute when FSU’s Yujie Zhao used her right foot to volley in the cross from Jaelin Howell.
In the 79th minute, the center official asked for a video review after FSU goalkeeper Caroline Jeffers collided with Gator freshman Laney Steed.
After the review, Jeffers left the match with a red card, forcing the Seminoles to play the final 10 minutes with 10 players.
Florida was awarded a penalty kick on the play. FSU’s replacement goalkeeper Brooke Bollinger made the save on Parker Robert’s penalty kick attempt.
