Georgia Hosts Florida Sunday in Live Pink Match

Sunday, October 8

Athens, Ga.

2 p.m.

University of Georgia

Florida

October 06, 2023 | Soccer

Match Notes

RV Georgia (6-3-3, 2-2-1 SEC) vs. Florida (5-4-3, 1-3-1 SEC)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 8
Time: 2 p.m. EDT
Location: Athens, Ga.
Site: Turner Soccer Complex (1,682)

MEDIA INFORMATION
TV: ESPNU (Alex Perlman, PxP / Anna Witte, Analyst)
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
X: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer

Social Media: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: Florida leads 30-5-3
In Athens: Florida leads 11-3-0
In Gainesville: Florida leads 14-1-2
Neutral: Florida leads 5-1-1
Last Meeting: Georgia – W, 3-0 (Sept. 25, 2022 – Athens, Ga.)
Current Streak: W2
GF / GA: 30 / 87

QUICK KICKS
Rivalry Renewed
Georgia returns home to Turner Soccer Complex to face rival Florida in its annual Live Pink match. The Gators are the Bulldogs' most-played opponent in program history, with Sunday being the 39th all-time meeting between the programs. After only winning two of the first 33 meetings, Georgia has earned a result in five-consecutive matches, including last year's 3-0 win in Gainesville, the Bulldogs' first road victory in series history. Each of the last two meetings in Athens have seen dramatic finishes - in 2019, freshman Haley Sorrell snapped a 12-match losing streak with a score with 90 seconds remaining, while Mollie Belisle scored a winner in the 84th minute in 2021. Both teams are looking to rebound from losses Thursday evening, with Georgia falling, 2-1, at Arkansas, and Florida dropping a 1-0 decision at home to Mississippi State.

Hampered by Hogs
In a battle of SEC division leaders, Georgia fell, 2-1, at No. 6 Arkansas despite a game defensive effort. Despite only tallying one shot on goal, the Bulldogs held the powerful Razorback attack scoreless for nearly 60 minutes before surrendering a pair of quick goals. Georgia later cut the deficit in the 73rd minute as goalkeeper Jordan Brown's goal kick was deflected by both an Arkansas defender and the cross bar for an own goal. Unfortunately, the awakened Georgia attack was unable to convert another scoring opportunity as Arkansas pulled through. The matchup was Georgia's fourth meeting of the season against a top-10 opponent, with the Bulldogs standing at 0-2-2 this year.

Florida's Familiar Foe
Throughout the season, Georgia midfielder Nicole Vernis has been the catalyst for the Bulldogs' attack, leading the team in goals, assists, and shots. On Sunday, she will face a familiar opponent as she takes on her former school for the first time in her career. Over two seasons (2020-21), the North Palm Beach native appeared in 36 matches with 31 starts, racking up three goals and two assists for the Gators. One of Vernis' finest matches came in the last Georgia-Florida matchup in Athens in 2021, when she netted the tying goal and had a career-high two shots on frame as the Gators overcame a 3-0 deficit before falling in the final minutes.

Dawg Bites

Georgia remained unranked in this week's United Soccer Coaches and Top Drawer Soccer polls. In the NCAA RPI rankings, Georgia held at No. 14 and ranks fourth among SEC schools. Eight past and future 2023 opponents currently rank in the top 40.
Georgia's loss at Arkansas marked its first defeat against an SEC opponent away from Athens since a 3-1 loss at Tennessee on Oct. 24, 2021. The Bulldogs had earned a result in 10 straight matches (5-0-5), including regular season road and SEC Tournament neutral fixtures over three seasons.
Georgia's one shot on frame against Arkansas marked the fewest for the Bulldogs since a one-shot performance against No. 5 Alabama on Sept. 29, 2022. Coincidentally, Georgia also fell, 2-1, in that match with its lone score coming off an own goal.
During the Arkansas match, Georgia racked up an uncharacteristic 21 fouls, the program's most in a match since 27 against Auburn on Oct. 24, 2004.
Junior defender Jessie Dunn remains the iron woman among Georgia field players, tallying 90 minutes in 10 matches this season. Dunn has played a full 90 in 18 of her last 21 matches.
Through 12 matches, 11 different Bulldogs have scored a goal. Last year, the team tied a program record with 16 different scorers.
Freshman Jocelyn Chinea made her first career start at Arkansas, giving the Bulldogs 20 different starters during the season.
Goalkeeper Jordan Brown has now entered the program's top 10 in saves, shutouts, starts, and minutes, while currently holding the lowest goals against average in program history (0.88).
Graduate midfielder Mallie McKenzie is now ranked fifth in program history with 20 assists. She is also tied for fifth all-time in appearances with 87 matches, putting her on pace to break Abby Boyan's program record of 93.

A Stout Schedule
Georgia has faced one of the nation's toughest schedules in 2023, beginning with a road match against No. 1 UCLA, followed by contests with No. 22 UCF, No. 9 Clemson, No. 7 Alabama, and No. 6 Arkansas. Georgia is also the only Power 5 program in the country to face an opponent from each of the other four leagues. The schedule currently rates as the fifth-toughest in the nation.

Up Next
Georgia heads north to face Tennessee in a critical SEC East showdown on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in Knoxville. The match will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Promotions: Sunday's match is the annual Live Pink match, with the first 500 spectators receiving a pink Georgia Soccer scarf.
Free Admission: All matches at Turner Soccer Complex are free. No tickets are required for admission.
Parking: Due to construction at the Turner Soccer Complex, parking is first-come, first-serve and carpooling is encouraged. Overflow crowds will park at the Park & Ride (E23) lot on College Station Road with non-stop shuttle service throughout the match.
Entrance: Spectators will only be able to enter the Turner Soccer Complex on the first base side of Jack Turner Stadium. Gates will open one hour prior to kickoff.
Clear Bags: The UGA Clear Bag policy will be in effect for all home matches.
Prohibited Items: Umbrellas and outside noise makers are not permitted at Turner Soccer Complex.
Sustainability: Turner Soccer Complex is on a journey to become a zero-waste facility for the 2023 season.
Concessions: Concessions will be available via cashless/contactless payment.
Merchandise: The UGA Bookstore will be selling merchandise on site.