Huskies Score Early, Take Down #2 Florida

Friday, September 1

Seattle, Wash.

8:00 PM

University of Washington

3-2-0

Florida

4-1-0

Florida

Washington

September 01, 2017 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Watch: Jessica Udovich Post Match Watch: Highlights Photo Gallery

SEATTLE – The Washington Huskies rode an early goal by Shannon Simon and a strong defensive effort to a 1-0 victory over the #2 Florida Gators Friday night. It was the third time in Husky history that Washington has taken down the #2 team in the country, with the last victory coming on penalty kicks in the 2010 NCAA Tournament against Portland. Washington also defeated #2 Santa Clara 2-1 in 2000.

"One of the things we talked about all week was bravery on both sides of the ball and I think we had a much more courageous effort than against SMU," said Head Coach Lesle Gallimore. "That's a really good team we just beat, they're fast in every position."

The Huskies are 3-2-0 on the season now, while Florida drops to 4-1-0 with their first defeat of 2017.

Sarah Shimer made four saves in the game, recording her second shutout of the year and sixth of her career for the win.

Simon's goal came just 1:30 into the game on the first shot of the match. Kimberly Keever took the throw-in and dropped the ball in the middle of the attacking half. Simon settled the ball with one touch before blasting a high shot that curved over the goalie into the back left corner of the net to make it 1-0.

That goal would hold as the game-winner with both teams fighting for chances from there, with Washington threatening several times. The Huskies had a sequence of three corners in two minutes beginning in the 21', with Anissa Dadkhah taking them all.

That first corner led to a leaping header by Simon that once again beat the goalie but went over the crossbar this time. Dominique Bond-Flasza would record a shot on another of the corners, only to have it ricochet off a defender out of play.

Shots were 3-3 at the half, with each team recording two shots on goal.

The Huskies came out dangerous in the second half, with shots by Simon and Keever in the first five minutes of play. Keever would also manage two shots in quick succession in the 70', with one blocked straight back to her to allow a second shot.

After that, it was the defense that shined, with Taylor Sekyra, Jessica Udovich, and Bond-Flasza all earning praise from Gallimore. "It really was a team effort, a gutty effort to hold that lead for that long," said Gallimore. "Ava [Lewis] has been a warrior, Dadkhah has been a warrior.

"The difference between last year and this year is we have some depth that can come in for 15 minutes and spell some people and be dangerous."

The game would end with shots tied at seven apiece.

The Huskies will be back in action at home this Monday, September 4 as they play the New Mexico Lobos at 12:00 pm PT in the final game of the Husky Nike Invitational. Tickets for that game are available online.

Make sure to follow Husky women's soccer on Twitter with the username @UW_WSoccer and on Instagram at uw_wsoccer.