Nov. 12, 2006

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - No. 16 Florida ended the Marquette women's soccer team's run at a second consecutive appearance in the Sweet 16 in a shootout, 4-3, Sunday afternoon at Valley Fields in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The two teams played to a scoreless draw through two overtimes and 110 minutes of action but the Gators got the better of the Golden Eagles in kicks from the mark. MU ends the season 12-6-5 overall while Florida stands at 14-5-5 and advances to play UCLA.

"We tied a good team," said head coach Markus Roeders. "We didn't lose, except someone has to advance and it came down to penalty kicks. I am disappointed with the outcome, for our senior class, but I am proud of our team for showing class. It was a tough way to lose on penalty kicks, but someone has to win and someone has to lose. I can only be pleased of how we played tonight and what we have done this season. We have had a great streak over the last two months. Not only do we want to be here every season, but we want to advance."

In the shoot out Katie Kelly went first and converted her kick while teammates Allison Mallams and Meghan Connelly did the same. For the game, goalkeeper Laura Boyer made six saves and another one in the shootout as she stopped Stacy Bishop's kick, but it wasn't enough as Marquette missed one of its shots and another was saved by Gator keeper Brittni Goodwin.

Though both teams created chances neither was able to find the back of the net in regulation and overtime. One of Marquette' s best chances to put the game away was in the 94th minute when Mallams stole the ball from a Gator defender and head straight for the goal. With two defenders swarming to her and an open look at the goal, Mallams shot the ball wide of the right post.

Moments later, Florida drew a foul and was awarded a free kick right outside the top of the box. Bishop took the kick for the Gators that went through the defensive wall constructed by Connelly, Mallams and senior Lauren Weber leaving Boyer to make a diving save to keep the Golden Eagles alive.

In the second overtime, the Golden Eagles had to play short for about one minute and 29 seconds after Weber was given her second yellow card and was ejected from the game. Shortly after, it looked as if Florida had scored the golden goal off of a corner kick, but was called for a foul during the play and the goal was disallowed.

For the game Florida out shot Marquette, 10-7, including a 6-1 shots on goal advantage.

"There is nothing to be ashamed of. We played well today and just came up short."