Florida sophomore soccer striker McKenzie Barney (Sammamish, Wash.) picked up a pair of honors on Monday for her play in the 2-1 overtime victory at Florida State Friday.
Barney was named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Soccer Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday. In addition, she was also selected to the CollegeSoccer360’s Primetime Performers list. This is the second time this season Barney has been named SEC Offensive Player of the Week as she claimed it after the second weekend of play after contributing the game winning goals versus Florida Atlantic and San Diego State.
In last Friday’s match-up between two top-10 teams, it was Barney who gave the Gators the golden goal just 15 seconds into overtime. The goal followed the overtime kickoff after Holly King, from about 15 yards above the FSU box, sent it over to Nicky Kit on the left sideline. Kit brought the ball toward the end line and then served it into the box. Barney, with a Seminole on her left and right, was just able to get a foot on it to score at the near post corner.
With the goal, Barney took sole possession of the team lead in goals (5) and maintains her lead in points (12) and game winning goals (3). The goal was the quickest off a kickoff in the program’s 16-year history. The previous record was 19 seconds, which was turned in by Gator All-American Abby Wambach to open the 2000 match at Mississippi.
Florida continues road action versus ranked Atlantic Coast Conference opponents next weekend in Durham, N.C. The Gators face No. 15 Duke (4-1, 0-0 ACC) on Friday, Sept. 17 in a match which will air live on Fox Soccer Channel (Gainesville/Ocala Cox Cable channel 255) at 8:30 p.m. Then UF faces two-time defending NCAA champion and current No. 1 North Carolina (4-0-1, 0-0 ACC) on Sunday, Sept. 19 at noon.