No. 13 Gator Soccer Team Posts 3-1 Exhibition Win versus No. 5 Texas A&M

8/25/07

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 13 University of Florida soccer team posted a 3-1 win versus No. 5 Texas A&M in an exhibition match held Saturday evening at the James G. Pressly Stadium.

“First of all, we are really pleased that A&M came to play this game because playing a match versus good competition before the regular season begins is a huge plus. Hats off to them for agreeing to come to Florida for this exhibition,” UF Head Coach Becky Burleigh said. “As far as the way we played, I thought the first 10 minutes we showed a lot of nerves. We weren’t quite in sync as far as keeping the ball. But after that, I was really, really happy with the way we played. I think we did some good stuff offensively, we sort of secured things defensively and we got to play everybody. It was good to have this exhibition before the season starts next Friday.”

The first goal of the match came when junior All-American Ameera Abdullah’s cross found senior KeLeigh Hudson in the box, where she hit the eight-yard shot in the 35th minute.

The Aggies tied the match early in the second half. Elisabeth Jones score on a 12-yard right-side shot off the assist from senior Ashlee Pistorius at 51:29.

UF received scores from two freshmen Saturday night. Senior Bianca Gibbs took a deep shot that deflected off of the Aggie goalkeeper.
Redshirt freshman Anne Rose was there to put in the short shot at 65:00 to put the Gators ahead. In the 81st minute, the Gators expanded the lead to two goals when Angela Napolitano crossed the ball to Ashley Harris, who was near the top of the box. She didn’t take the shot, but sent the ball to freshman Alyshah Smith, who scored off a seven-yard shot.

The Gators' season officially opens next weekend, when Florida plays host to Indiana on Friday, Aug. 31. Then 2006 NCAA runner-up Notre Dame makes its first visit to Pressly Stadium for a Sept. 2 match set for 1:30 p.m.