The Florida Gators soccer team walked into Donald R. Dizney Stadium with the hopes of securing their first SEC victory.
However, the trend of ties continued as Florida (4-3-5, 0-3-2 SEC) drew against Georgia (9-1-3, 3-1-1 SEC) Thursday night, marking the Gators’ third straight tie.
“I think we’ve shown we’re a hard team to beat,” said head coach Samantha Bohon. “This is why we love playing in the SEC.”
With both teams struggling to generate opportunities on offense, redshirt freshman forward Addy Hess stepped up to break the scoreless tie at minute 17. Redshirt sophomore forward Megan Hinnenkamp dribbled on the right side of the field and found Hess right in front of the net.
Hess finished with a header to the center of the goal to make it a 1-0 match, marking her first goal since UF’s match against Maryland on Aug. 31.
“I’ve been waiting,” Hess said. “I'm really excited to finally put one in the back of the net.”
However, Kentucky eventually tied the game in the second half less than 10 minutes in the second half. Senior midfielder Thalia Morisi fired with her right foot to the center of the goal, making it past redshirt sophomore goalie Paloma Peña to make it a 1-1 match.
Despite both teams scoring, the game was a slugfest defensively, with each team having just seven shot attempts. The physicality was on full display, resulting in a combined 32 fouls throughout the match, including four yellow cards. Florida was called for 19 fouls, while Kentucky was called for 13 of its own.
Wildcat junior midfielder Tanner Strickland earned the first shot of the game just 39 seconds into the match, but her shot hit the top crossbar.
UF freshman forward Katie Johnston responded with an attempt at minute 2:00, but her shot met a wall of Kentucky defenders.
At the 14-minute mark, Hess was awarded a free kick after being fouled by Kentucky sophomore forward Alexis Tylenda. However, Hess’s kick hit the left post and was recovered by freshman goalie Khadijah Cissé, who finished with two saves.
The Wildcats had an opportune chance to respond just a minute later, but the header by redshirt sophomore defender Katherine Truitt fell to the waiting arms of UF redshirt sophomore goalie Paloma Peña, who finished with three saves.
Hess had an opportunity for her second goal of the match at minute 27, but she missed over the crossbar as the score remained 1-0 heading into halftime.
Hinnenkamp had a chance to extend the lead for Florida just two minutes into the second half, but her shot was blocked by Cissé.
“I wish we would have played a little bit better in the second half,” Bohon said. “We always would love to be able to dictate play, but we weren't able to do that as much in the second half.”
The Wildcats had an opportune look to take the lead at the 76-minute mark, but Truitt’s shot was saved by Peña.
With only 10 minutes remaining, the defensive intensity was ramped up, as both sides were reluctant to give up open chances.
Time was dwindling down, as both sides were fighting for each possession.
The Gators had one more corner chance with two minutes remaining. Although Johnston recovered it, her shot fired over the net, causing both teams to leave the field with a draw.
“Three straight games undefeated in the SEC is progress for us,” Bohon said. “But we're still hunting really hard for that win.”
The Gators will hit the road to take on the Texas Longhorns (3-1-7, 1-3 SEC) in Austin, Texas, at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Contact Adrian Carmona at acarmona@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @abcarmona04.
Adrian is a senior journalism major and the soccer reporter for Fall 2025. He enjoys playing Sporcle quizzes and ranting about South Florida sports.
