The No. 10 University of Florida soccer team (14-4-2, 8-1-2 SEC) shut out No. 13 South Carolina (15-3-1, 7-3-1 SEC) 3-0 to win the Southeastern Conference title in the regular-season finale Friday evening in front of a James G. Pressly Stadium crowd of 3,104. The title is the fourth consecutive for the Gators and the 10th in the program’s 15-year history.
Florida entered Friday’s match with a one-point lead over South Carolina and LSU in the league standings.
Florida’s six-member senior class earned their fourth SEC championship ring, thanks in part to the effort of the freshmen class. All of Florida’s goals were scored by freshmen and the first two assists came from a freshman.
The freshmen duo of McKenzie Barney and Erika Tymrak combined on both of Florida’s first half goals. Barney has turned in three double-goal matches this season – versus Vanderbilt, versus then No. 17 LSU and versus No. 13 South Carolina. She is second among the Gators with seven goals and tied for third with 15 points.
The final goal came when senior Lauren Hyde sent a 35-yard free kick into the box. Freshman Holly King headed the ball into the center of the goal from 12-yards at 87:03. It was King’s third goal of the season and second consecutive scored off a header.
The shutout was Florida’s eighth of the season and fourth consecutive. UF goalkeeper Katie Fraine recorded two saves Friday.
Photo Gallery: UF soccer vs. South Carolina, 10/30/09
DIRECTORY OF GATOR COUNTRY PHOTO GALLERIES