LEXINGTON, Ky. – Florida and No. 20 Kentucky soccer played to a 0-0 tie Thursday evening at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex to open Southeastern Conference action.
It was the first tie of the season for the Wildcats, who opened the season with an 8-0 record.
Tonight’s result was Florida’s second consecutive point in SEC action – with both versus ranked teams. The Gators closed 2023 SEC play with a 0-0 tie versus No. 13 South Carolina. Tonight, UF opens 2024 SEC action with a scoreless tie at No. 20 Kentucky.
At halftime, Florida Head Coach Samantha Bohon said she wanted to see the Gator midfield win more first and second balls to use that resulting possession to attack with a build-up rather than a counter.
That focus showed in the second half as the possession was much more even in the second half.
“There’s nothing like SEC play!” Bohon said. “We said as a group afterwards how much fun we had during tonight’s game. I thought we started a little tentative in the first half and could have been better with the ball. I really appreciated the response out of the locker room at half as we kept more possession and built a little more than the first.
“Our defensive intensity has been a trademark of our team, and it was on full display again tonight from the forwards to the goalkeeper. Once we add a better final pass in the attacking third, we could be even more dangerous. So, we’ll take a point on the road and hope to build on it for a tough challenge with a second road trip on the weekend at Auburn.”
Records:
Florida: 3-1-5, 0-0-1 SEC
No. 20 Kentucky: 8-0-1, 0-0-1 SEC
Series Record:
Florida leads 25-5-6.
Next Up:
Florida faces its second consecutive unbeaten team Sunday at No. 6 Auburn (8-0-1, 0-0-1 SEC). The Tigers opened SEC play with a home 2-2 tie versus Vanderbilt Thursday evening. The two Commodore goals were the first scored against the Tigers this season.
at No. 6 Auburn
Date: Sunday, Sept. 22
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Site: Auburn Soccer Complex
Admission: Free
Florida (3-1-5, 0-0-1 SEC) at No. 20 Kentucky (8-0-1, 0-0-1 SEC)
Stadium: Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex (730)
Weather: 83 degrees, winds N at 4 mph
Goals by Period
1
2
Total
Florida
0
0
0
Kentucky
0
0
0
Scoring Summary:
No goals
Shots: Florida 2, Kentucky 7
Saves: Florida 2 (Alexa Goldberg 2); UK 0 (Marz Josephson 0)
Offsides: UF 1, UK 5
Cautions: Lauren Donovan-UF/yellow (41:01)
