Florida Soccer Earns SEC Tournament Berth in Draw vs. Georgia

Florida Soccer Earns SEC Tournament Berth in Draw vs. Georgia

Going into its regular-season finale against longtime rival Georgia, Florida soccer needed a win or a draw to punch its ticket to the SEC Tournament in Pensacola.

And with a little over four minutes left, it seemed the Gators were on track to log their first win since Alabama on Oct. 8, securing three crucial points and a postseason run in the process. However, Georgia struck late to tie the match 1-1, dashing Florida’s hopes of ending the regular season with a win.

But a draw was enough to qualify the Gators for the tournament, which is set to kick off in Pensacola on Nov. 8. And for coach Nick Zimmerman, next week provides a clean slate for a Florida team that has pushed through the 11th-toughest schedule in the country.

“We battle tested,” Zimmerman said postgame. “Every single game we play is against a really good opponent. That’s what the SEC is.”

Sunday’s rivalry matchup was a physical one, with the Bulldogs racking up 15 fouls to the Gators’ 10. Georgia also earned two yellow cards in the first half. The Bulldogs, who have beaten the Gators in Gainesville only once, trail in the all-time series 30-5-7 across 42 me...