GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The first step in defense of its Southeastern Conference title begins Thursday for Florida soccer. The Gators are at Kentucky for a match that also kicks off 2016 SEC Network soccer coverage. Match time is 7 p.m. ET at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
This is the eighth time in Florida's 22-year history it has opened league play against Kentucky.
Last meeting:
When the two teams met last season, the Gators tied Kentucky 1-1 2OT at the James G. Pressly Stadium. Florida outshot the Wildcats 27-6, but couldn't find another goal to go with the header
Savannah Jordan scored off a
Christen Westphal corner kick in the 41st minute.
The Gators will be looking for its first win in Lexington since 2010 on Thursday, as UF lost in its last two visits (2012, 2-1 and 2014, 2-0).
Last Weekend:
In the opening week of September, Florida's two-match road weekend ended up with just a single contest. The anticipated No. 5 Florida at No. 1 Florida State match set for Friday, Sept. 2 was cancelled due to the impact of Hurricane Hermine on the Tallahassee area. The Gators' only match of the weekend was Sunday at Oklahoma State. After a scoreless opening half, Florida exploded with a school-record seven goal half to take a 7-2 win. Three Gators turned in a pair of goals Sunday –
Melanie Monteagudo,
Mayra Pelayo and
Savannah Jordan. For the two sophomores, it was the first multi-goal match of their collegiate careers, while Jordan turned in her 18
th. Florida freshman
Kit Loferski also scored her first collegiate goal Sunday.
Kentucky and UF have met one common opponent, as the Gators defeated South Florida 2-1 in 2016 preseason action and Kentucky lost 3-2 in Aug. 25 home action. Last weekend, Kentucky won 3-1 at Louisville and won 3-0 Sunday versus High Point. Evangeline Soucie is the current
SEC Freshman of Week after 10 saves in last weekend's wins, including a career-high six saves at Louisville.
Here's how to follow the Gators
For the second consecutive season, SEC Network soccer coverage kicks off with a match involving Florida. Handling the call for Thursday's match are Gator Great Heather Mitts and Jenn Hildreth. The stream of the match can be found on
WatchESPN.
Adam Schick's call of Thursday's match can be heard at ESPN Gainesville 95.3FM or on
FloridaGators.com.
2016 Records:
Florida: 4-1
UK: 2-2-1
Preseason Conference Votes:
Florida swept the 2015 SEC titles (regular-season and tournament). Kentucky tied for ninth in the league.
Florida – The Gators are picked to win the 2016 Southeastern Conference title.
UK – The Wildcats are picked to take seventh in the 2016 Southeastern Conference race.
Rankings:
Florida is ranked No. 5 on the latest
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll.
