Florida Gators soccer defeats Kentucky in OT

The Florida Gators (5-1) soccer team traveled to Lexington on Thursday to take on the Kentucky Wildcats (3-3-1) for their first conference game of the season. The Gators have not won in Lexington since 2010, but they were able to turn that around with a 2-1 win in double overtime.

Florida was scoreless in the first half of play for the second game in a row. It was a frustrating first half for the Gators, as neither team could seem to find momentum.

In the 43rd minute, sophomore Mayra Pelayo attempted a header off a corner kick and Kentucky goal keeper Evangeline Soucie made a great diving save. The ball deflected off of Soucie’s fingertips to freshman Sammie Betters who attempted a rebound shot that was again saved by Soucie.

Soucie had an outstanding night for Kentucky with 11 saves. The Gators outshot the Wildcats 31-3. Though the Gators seemingly dominated in the second half of play, the game still came down to the wire.

Of Florida’s 17 shots in the second half, the one that finally went in was actually an accident. Redshirt junior Gabby Seiler shot from the edge of the box, the ball deflected off of senior Savannah Jordan’s shoulder and found the back of the net in the 83rd minute.

With less than nine minutes left in regulation, it seemed like Florida’s momentum that they found in the second half would secure the win, but six minutes later Kentucky’s Zoe Smith scored to tie it up 1-1.

Finally, in the third minute of the second overtime period Seiler passed to Jordan whose back was facing the goal. Jordan smartly fed it to senior Meggie Dougherty Howard who scored to finish the game and give the Gators their first conference win of the season.

Next Up

Florida will travel to Arkansas next Friday, September 16 at 8:00 p.m. for their final game of this five game stretch on the road before returning to Gainesville to take on UCF the following Sunday.

 

Bailiegh Carlton
A lifelong sports fan, Bailiegh Carlton knew from a young age that she wanted to work in sports in some capacity. Before transferring to the University of Florida to study journalism, she played softball at Gulf Coast State College. She then interned for Gator Country for three years as she worked toward her degree. After graduation, Bailiegh decided to explore other opportunities in the world of sports, but all roads led her right back here. In her time away, she and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. When she isn't working, she can almost always be found snuggled up with sweet baby Ridley, Cody and her four fur babies.