Aug. 27, 2006
Box Score
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Ashlee Elliott scored a goal and added an assist and Ashley Harris and Angela Napolitano each added a goal of their own as the No. 18 Florida Gators downed Kennesaw State, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at James G. Presley Stadium.
After both teams spent the first nine minutes getting acclimated to the muggy conditions, Florida (1-0-1) struck first as Harris put in a five-yard shot off a left-sided cross from Elliott in the 10th minute. It wouldn't take long, however, for the Owls (1-1) to respond.
Just three minutes later, senior Laura Tucker gathered a pass off of a free kick from sophomore Maylee Attin-Johnson and scored her first goal of the season after shooting a ball from 20-yards out that found its way inside the near post. The goal fired up the Owls, who were playing their second Southeastern Conference opponent in two weeks.
Despite being out-shot 11-1 in the first half, Kennesaw State went to the locker room feeling confident and tied 1-1 at halftime.
The Gators, who battled defending national champion Portland to a 1-1 draw on Friday night, would show why they are one of the top teams to beat this season as they took a 2-1 lead in the 56th minute as Napolitano netted the game winner from just over ten yards that deflected off the Owls defense and past freshman keeper Staci Pugh.
Kennesaw State's best scoring chance came in the 69th minute of play when sophomore Caitlin Dingle took advantage of the Gators' defense and fired a shot that caromed off the crossbar. The Rockdale, Georgia native's shot was the only opportunity of the half for the Owls as they were out-shot 8-1 in the second 45 minutes and 19-2 for the game.
Florida would continue to apply the pressure and scored their final goal in the 73rd minute as defender Erin Davis rocketed a blast off Pugh and Elliott found herself in the right place at the right time to push the rebound across the goal line.
The Owls will have a week to regroup and will continue their three-match road trip on September 4 when travel to the College of Charleston for a 4:00 p.m. match.
