Cal Falls to Florida 3-1 in NCAA Second Round
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Despite what the 3-1 score indicated, California played Florida tough on the road in Gainesville before a Gator goal in the final minute of regulation sealed Cal’s fate. Cal finishes the season with a 14-6-2 overall record after losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Cal fell behind early with two goals by Florida in the first 15 minutes, including one on a penalty kick, but Celeste Boureille managed to put one away in the first half and cut Florida’s lead to 2-1. The score remained the same for nearly the entire second half, but with 55 seconds remaining the Gators added an insurance goal to punch their ticket to the third round.
“When you go down two goals to a very good team, it is a challenge. We were surprised to be down by two goals that quickly. We didn’t anticipate being in the hole we were in so early,” said California head coach Neil McGuire. “We’re very proud of our players. We knew going into it, it was a tough match. Sadly, one team has to go home.”
Florida went up 1-0 less than three minutes in when some contact at the edge of the Cal box between Annia Mejia and the Florida offense gave the Gators a penalty kick. It was just the second penalty kick the Bears have given up all season, and Florida capitalized to nab the lead early.
The Gators added another as Annie Speese and Savannah Jordan played the ball down the right side before Jordan crossed it left to Havana Solaun waiting near the center of the box. Solaun chipped it forward from about 10 yards out to give Florida the two-goal lead.
Even with the 2-0 deficit, Cal remained dauntless, drawing a corner kick near the 17th minute. Kelly Fitzgerald put the ball into play and Cal tried to head the ball in, but it bounced off a Florida defender and back into play. It found the foot of Samantha Witteman, who tried to put it on frame, but the ball hit the left post and once again bounced into play. Boureille got to the ball first and launched a rocket into the center of the net behind Florida goalie Taylor Burke to cut Florida’s lead, 2-1.
“This team has come back from behind a few times in the season, so we knew that we could do it,” said senior captain Taylor Comeau. “Unfortunately today we weren’t able to get that second goal, but we knew that we were still in it, and we just fought. We gave it everything we got like we have all season, so I wasn’t worried.”
Cal failed to get another shot in before halftime, and Florida held on by one goal. The Gators had an 8-3 edge in shots over the Bears, with one save apiece for each goalie.
When the game resumed after halftime, it was Cal who came out stronger. The Bears held possession of the ball better than Florida and held the Gators to an even five shots, most of which came toward the end of the game. Cal held on through nearly the entire half, creating several scoring changes that were saved by Burke.
“I thought that the team did a good job of righting the ship,” McGuire said. “In the second half, I thought our performance was very, very good. If you look at the second half statistically, it’s probably a much more even game in the second half.”
Florida’s final goal came with just 55 seconds remaining on a ball from Jillian Graff to Jordan, who placed it in the net from five yards away for the final nail in the coffin.
Florida outshot Cal 13-8 and managed to put six goals on frame. The Golden Bears had four shots on goal, and Boyd and Burke each notched three saves.
“We talked about how much we wanted to fight for this game and play for our seniors, and I thought we did that in the second half,” Boureille said. “We fought every minute, and we were a little unfortunate, but I’m happy with our team, for sure.”
Florida will meet Texas Tech on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET in the third round of the tournament.
Head Coach Neil McGuire’s Take
McGuire says: “I think that when you go down two goals to a very good team, it is a challenge. We were surprised to be down by two goals that quickly. I think the penalty kick was unfortunate. I think it’s a fair call; if the referee sees it, you have to judge that. But we didn’t anticipate being in the hole we were in so early. However, I thought that the team did a good job of riding the ship. In the second half, I thought our performance was very, very good. If you look at the second half statistically, it’s probably a much more even game in the second half. We’re very proud of our players. We knew going into it, it was a tough match. Sadly, one team has to go home.”
On California’s halftime adjustments:
“I think all we asked the girls is to recognize that regardless of the score, you have the ability to play well. If we had not gone down quite so quickly, and if we had found our rhythm as opposed to being put on our heels, you might’ve seen that from us slightly sooner. So we just reminded them that they’re very good, and this is two good teams, and you have to keep the ball. Whoever keeps the ball is going to win the game.”
On Florida’s style of play:
“Florida was very good. Any time two good teams are playing, you’re going to see the best of the best athletes, and I thought Florida was outstanding tonight.”
Golden Bear Goals
17' - Celeste Boureille (assisted by Samantha Witteman) - Witteman hit left post, Boureille net the ball into center on the rebound
Boureille says: We definitely wanted to get a goal in before half. Luckily, Sam (Witteman) got a glancing header on frame and I got a shot on goal and luckily it went in.
Florida Goals
3' - Annie Speese - Penalty kick
13' - Havana Solaun (assisted by Savannah Jordan and Annie Speese) - crossed to Solaun from right flank, chipped in from 10 yards out
90’ – Savannah Jordan (assisted by Jillian Graff) – Five yards from left of goal
News & Notes
- Cal finishes the season with a 14-6-2 overall record.
- The Bears are 15-21-3 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
- Cal is 2-5 when giving up two or more goals this season, and 0-3 when giving up three or more goals.
- Celeste Boureille scored her sixth goal of the season.
- Samantha Witteman tallied her team-leading eighth assist of the season.
- Emily Boyd finished her freshman campaign with a 13-6-2 record in goal.
On the Box Score
1. 2:47 UF Speese, Annie (unassisted)
2. 12:40 UF Solaun, Havana (Jordan, Savannah;Speese, Annie) - 10 yard chip
3. 16:54 CAL Boureille, Celeste (Witteman, Samantha) - 7 yarder off of post rebound
4. 89:05 UF Jordan, Savannah (Graff, Jillian) - 5 yards shot
Shots: California 8, Florida 13
Saves: California 3 (Boyd, Emily 2; TEAM 1), Florida 3 (Burke, Taylor
3)