LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 11 Florida broke a scoreless halftime tie with three second-half goals to hand Kentucky a 3-0 loss Friday evening at the UK Soccer Complex. UK suffers its second shutout defeat in as many matches and falls to 5-6-1 and 2-2-1 in the SEC.

Kentucky utilized a 4-5-1 attack in the first half to keep the Gators off of the scoreboard, though Florida registered eight shots to one for Kentucky. UF?s Melanie Booth sent a 23rd-minute cross from the right flank to a wide open Christine Johnson, but Johnson sailed her shot from point-blank range well over the goal. UK presented itself with two corner kick opportunities that came up empty, and the Cats nearly capitalized on their only shot of the half. Courtney McCrudden struck a cross from the left flank to Danielle Slupski, but Slupski?s low line drive from eight yards out was stopped by Florida goalkeeper Jen Gardner.

Florida turned things in their favor in the second half by maintaining possession throughout the period. In the 64th minute, Ashley Kellgren sent a line drive over the head of UK goalkeeper Liz Butler. UK defender Ashley Janning leaped and swatted the ball away with her hand, resulting in a red card and automatic ejection. Kellgren drilled the ensuing penalty kick into the back of the net for a 1-0 Gator lead. Ten minutes later, Florida?s Melanie Booth lined up a free kick from 25 yards and found the upper right corner of the goal to increase the Gator cushion to 2-0. Kentucky?s Courtney McCrudden registered the Cats? lone shot of the half in the 88th minute, but Gardner again recorded a save. Seconds later, Florida?s Jessica Young sent a high, arcing cross from the right flank that was headed home by Stephanie Freeman to cap the Gators? 3-0 victory.

Kentucky returns to action Sunday afternoon when the Cats play host to South Carolina. The match is set for 12 p.m. EDT at the UK Soccer Complex.