On Friday night, the Florida Gators soccer team was victorious in their season opener against the University of Miami. The Gators scored a goal in each half and defeated the Hurricanes 2-0. In the 37^th minute, sophomore Taylor Travis netted the first goal of the season for the Gators from around ten yards out. In 2010, the Gators faced the Hurricanes in the season opener and it was Travis who scored the winning goal in that match, so it was only appropriate that she continue her goal scoring in the following season. In the second half, it was freshman Havana Solaun, who scored in the 51^st minute on a great shot to the far post. Solaun is a graduate from Bucholtz High School in Gainesville Florida. It was extra special for Solaun being that this was the first time she stepped onto the field as a Florida Gator, she netted a goal for her squad. “We kind of built up from the back. Erika slid it across and I took a touch and a shot,” Solaun said. “I was really excited. It felt really good to represent the Gators. I just wanted to do my best to represent the team well.”

The Gators next match is against Florida International University on Sunday, August 21, @ 7:00PM at the FIU Soccer Stadium.

Friday, August 19th, the lady Gators are playing the University of Miami women’s soccer club to open the season. Looking to move up in the rankings, the 9th ranked Gators are 5 time SEC conference champs and have played in the NCAA tournament the last 8 years running. Tahnai Annis, scored 13 goals last season with 33 total points. Go Gators!

With the 2009 soccer season just underway, the Gators will be without their star player, Ashlee Elliott. The Senior will be sidelined the entire season after suffering a torn ACL from Sunday’s match.

The loss will greatly affect the highly ranked soccer team, who now will have to rely on underclassmen to fill the void of the Elliott’s loss.

Here are Elliot’s career stats as a Gator:

Elliott’s Collegiate Statistics

The Gators’ soccer came entered last night’s game coming off of a big 1-0 win over inter state rival, Miami (FL). With a new found confidence, the #7 ranked Gators stormed through FIU in a 3-0 affair.

The scoring was started off when Sophomore Lindsay Thompson headed in a deflection for her first goal of 2009. The Gators continued to keep the ball moving, and in the final 11 minutes, they found the back of the net twice. The second goal came from Erika Tymrak’s 20 yard goal, and then from Brooke Thigpen 18 yards out. The last two goals both came from a pair of Freshman, in fact, they are both roommates.

Florida soccer’s next game is Sunday, August 30th at home against USF.

The UF soccer team, ranked #10, opened their season up against Miami. In front of a record crowd of 2,277 fans, the UF soccer team opened up their season with a victory. For the Gators, they hope this win will be one of many this season.

The scoring was kicked off when Ashlee Elliot scored the first goal of the game early in the second half. The goal was set up by Senior Tricia Townsend, who led Elliot down the middle for an easy header. Florida Goalkeeper Katie Fraine pulled off the shutout, as she finished the game with 5 saves.

The Gators saw six Freshman make appearances in the game against Miami, which will give the young team some confidence after a big road win against inner state rival Miami.

Florida’s next game is against Florida International on August 28th, 7PM ET.