No. 3 Stanford overtakes No. 6 Florida in overtime

The No. 6 Florida Gators’ soccer team lost 1-0 in overtime against the No. 3 Stanford Cardinal Friday evening.

"From an effort perspective, it was terrific energy around our team, and the game and the bench,” said Florida head coach Becky Burleigh. “Everything was awesome. Stanford did a good job to finish an opportunity off a set piece to end the game. But overall, win or lose, this game doesn't define us. It is more about what we take from it."

It was the third consecutive meeting between the two teams that went to overtime, with the Cardinal taking two wins and one match ending in a tie.

Stanford got off to a quality start, outshooting Florida, 5-3, in the first half and generating two corners while not permitting one defensively. The teams traded shots off the crossbar in the half with the Cardinal’s Andi Sullivan hitting the frame in the twelfth minute off a free kick and Florida's Mayra Pelayo ripping a shot from 30 yards out in the twenty-fourth minute.

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However, despite a strong first half, the Cardinal was unable to break through and get on the board. Stanford continued to attack in the second half and found a quality groove offensively, generating chances regularly.

Stanford’s Kyra Carusa was active up top and remained difficult for the Florida defense to guard, constantly chasing down long-balls and fighting for possession deep in Gator territory. She finished the game with a team-high four shots and two on goal.

70' - @kyracarusa picks her spot and hits it but Florida's keeper able to get a hand to it. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/2vkiRM4NNy

— Stanford Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) August 27, 2016

One of the Gators best opportunities came in the seventy-sixth minute when Florida’s Melanie Monteagudo brought the ball down the left side. Her endline cross tried to find Gator Savannah Jordan, who was making a near post run. Stanford goalkeeper Jane Campbell came out but couldn't gather the ball in, and it was free just above the six-yard box. Gator Meggie Dougherty Howard was just a fraction away from getting to loose ball.

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Stanford carried its momentum into overtime and earned back-to-back corners in the ninty-fifth minute.

The Cardinal’s Jordan DiBiasi was able to capitalize on the second corner opportunity. Sullivan sent in a looping ball from the right corner that was cleared to the center of the field about 25 yards out. Stanford’s Tegan McGrady put the ball back into the box where it was headed on by Stanford’s Maddie Bauer, then Carusa, before falling to the foot of DiBiasi.

96' - @DiBiasiJordan for the win! #GoStanford https://t.co/Z1EOeJwqtT

— Stanford Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) August 27, 2016

DiBiasi fired a shot that was saved by the keeper, but the rebound went right back to her. And, she hit a second shot to the top left corner of the goal.

It is the seventh goal of DiBiasi's career and fifth game-winner. Four of her five game-winning goals have come against opponents ranked 16 or higher.

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