Wildcats hope strength of schedule will earn team a postseason berth.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (November 6, 1998) — The No. 4 ranked Florida Gators two first halfgoals proved to be the difference as Florida advanced to the SECChampionship match for the third consecutive year, disposing of Kentucky,2-0, in the first semifinal match Friday afternoon.

Florida got on the scoreboard early when, after a foul by Kentucky, KarenHall sent a 30-yard direct free kick past Kentucky goalkeeper CarrieKuhnell and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute(30:41).

The Gators extended their lead just less than 12 minutes later when forwardAbby Wambach’s shot deflected off Kuhnell and into the back of the net inthe 43rd minute (42:04) to cap the match scoring.

“We’re pleased with last night’s performance, but tonight is not where wewant to be. We’re going to have to step up. We’ve got a target on our back.That’s something we have faced all year because all the conference teams aregunning for us to try and knock us off.”

Said Kentucky head coach Warren Lipka, “We’re hoping for thepostseason. We played one of the toughest schedules in the nation andhopefully the committee will take that into consideration.”