The Gators came into Thursday’s match after a 7-2 win Sunday at Oklahoma State. Thursday’s match was the beginning of the Southeastern Conference season for both teams — and what a thriller it was. It needed to go to overtime to decide the winner of the match. The Gators won 2-1 with a golden goal by Meggie Dougherty Howard at the 103 minute.

In the first half, the pace was controlled by the Gators. They played with a 3-5-2 lineup. The possesion was orchestrated by their three defenders — Kristen Cardano, Erika Nelson and Rachelle Smith. The three of them were strong when driving the ball to the midfield. But the good interior defense by the Wildcats forced them to send the ball to the wings.

There were moments that the Gators were stymied. Mayra Pelayo showed skill on the left wing, but the play of Wildcats such as Michaela Dooley, Alex Carter and Lamaya Williams kept the Gators from finding open spaces for the Gators’ pair up top - Savannah Jordan and Melanie Monteagudo. The Wildcats showed a solid tackling ability and a positional sense to stop the Gators’ forwards.

During the second half, the Gators started to find their rhythm and make good passing sequences. The player who took charge of pulling the strings in the midfield was Gabby Seiler. She had an all-around view of the match. Better short and long passing gave the Gators improved ball movement and more intensity when pressuring the Wildcats’ defense. The Gators saw multiple scoring chances but were not able to score until the 84 minute. Seiler’s shot deflected off Jordan and flew into the goal at an unexpected angle, catching the UK goalkeeper off guard. That was goal No. 72 of her college career, moving her into second on Florida’s and the SEC’s career goals list.

That excitement did not last long. After a corner in the 89 minute, Zoe Swift scored the goal after a rebound inside the box. Tied at 1-1, the match moved to overtime for the fourth time of the two team’s last nine meetings.

It was the third overtime for the Gators this season. The rhythm of the match did not change, as the Gators kept pushing the Wildcats back inside their box. Early in the second overtime, Seiler drove the ball and found Jordan inside the rivals’ box. Jordan held the ball with her marker behind her and sent the ball to Dougherty Howard at the top of the box. She did not hesitate and her right-footed shot scored at the far corner for the game winner.

The 2-1 2OT win was Florida's fifth overtime match to open league play in the program's 22-year history and first since taking a 2-1 OT win versus Kentucky in 2009.

Next up is a match at Arkansas on Sept. 16. That match ends Florida’s five-match road swing.

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