November 6, 1998

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 4 ranked Florida Gators two first half goals proved to be the difference as Florida advanced to the SEC Championship 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, Karen Hall sent a 30-yard direct free kick past Kentucky goalkeeper Carrie Kuhnell 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 forward Abby Wambach’s shot deflected off Kuhnell and into the back of the net in the 43rd minute (42:04) to cap the match scoring.

“We’re pleased with last night’s performance, but tonight is not where we want 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 are gunning for us to try and knock us off.”

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