GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The William & Mary women's soccer team battled to the wire, but fell at No. 2 Florida 5-2 on Friday night in the Second Round of the NCAA College Cup on Friday night in Gainesville, Florida. Sophomore Rachel Moore and senior Leci Irvin scored in the match for the Green and Gold. With the decision, the Tribe concludes the season with a 14-5-3 record, while the Gators, which advance to the third round, improves to 19-3-1.
 
Florida put six shots on-goal in the first half, including taking an early lead in the 40th minute. Senior goalkeeper Caroline Casey made saves on five of the six first half shots on-goal.
 
The Gators took the lead with the 40th minute. Briana Solis found Meggie Dougherty about 20-yards out. Dougherty took a few steps, and uncorked her shot into the top right corner of the net. Her third of the year put UF up 1-0.
 
W&M just missed on the equalizer in its first two shots of the half. Sophomore Elysse Branton sprinted down the right sideline and put a shot on frame that was saved by Florida goalkeeper, Kaylan Marckese. The rebound bounced off of the post and ricocheted back into the field of the play. Senior Katie Johnston got her head to the ball, but her header sailed high of the goal.
 
UF scored back-to-back goals a minute a part in the 59th and 60th minute. Sarah Torccoli sent a feed to Dougherty-Howard in the box. Dougherty-Howard then found Savannah Jordan five yards, out and she fired her shot into the back of the net. Just 67 seconds later, Troccoli added the Gators third goal on a feed from Savannah Jordan.
 
The Gators went on to their fourth goal of the night in the 71st minute. Off of a turnover, Jordan collected the ball and scored from eight-yards out. Her second goal of the match gave UF a 4-0 advantage.
 
W&M wouldn't quit and got one back thanks to hard work in the box in 76th minute. Junior Kady Kriner was trying to clear space in the box, and was taken down by a Gator defender, earning a penalty kick. Moore stepped to the penalty spot and fired home the PK. Moore's sixth goal of the season cut the score to 4-1.
 
Florida answered the first W&M goal with its fifth of the match in the 77th minute. Gabby Rivera found Pamel Begic, who fired from 12-yards and scored. Her fifth of the season extended the Gators 5-1.
 
Again, W&M responded and scored the night's final goal in the 87th minute. Senior Nicole Baxter sent a through ball into the box, that Irvin ran and tracked down. The senior raced to nine-yards and fired her shot into the back of the net. Irvin's third marker of the season, cut the score to 5-2.
 
Casey recorded five saves for the Green and Gold in the match to finish her Tribe with 303 career saves. She is only the second player in school history to record 300 saves.
 
The Tribe, which returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2011, won 14 games, earned a share of the CAA regular season title, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 25th time in program history in 2015. Be sure to stay tuned to TribeAthletics.com for all Tribe women's soccer information.