Going into Thursday’s match, Kentucky’s Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex was No. 5 Florida’s achilles heel.
The Gators had lost their last two games there, and the last time the Gators left with a win in Lexington was Sept. 24, 2010.
A pair of seniors helped bring that streak to an end on Thursday.
Behind stellar performances from standout seniors Savannah Jordan and Meggie Dougherty Howard, Florida opened its Southeastern Conference schedule with a 2-1 double overtime win against the Kentucky Wildcats.
But it was no easy task for the Gators (5-1-0; 1-0 SEC).
Jordan broke open a scoreless contest in the 84th minute off a deflected pass from Gabby Seiler. It was Jordan’s team-best seventh goal of the season.
Kentucky (2-3-1, 0-1 SEC) reacted quickly, though, with Zoe Swift scoring less than 5 minutes later in the 89th minute to force overtime.
After the first 15-minute overtime period ended without another goal scored, the teams moved to final overtime where Dougherty Howard sealed the game with a golden goal in the 103th minute, a shot from 14 yards out.
It was her third goal on the season. Jordan and Seiler were both credited with an assist on the play.
The Gators outshot Kentucky 31-3 and demonstrated how explosive their offense can be with a game on the line.
Florida is now 2-1 this season in games determined by overtime and improves to 20-4-3 all time versus Kentucky.
The Gators will turn their attention to another SEC opponent Arkansas, who they play on Sept. 16 in Fayetteville in their fifth straight road game.
Contact Lauren Staff at lstaff@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @lstaff27.
UF midfielders Meggie Dougherty Howard (28) and Mayra Pelayo celebrate after Pelayo scores the first goal in Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.
