No. 15 Gators outlast No. 21 Kansas, 2-1

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Despite outshooting No. 15 Florida by a 17-4 margin, Ashlee Elliott’s pair of second half goals powered the Gators to a 2-1 victory over No. 21 Kansas Sunday afternoon at Pressly Stadium.

The Jayhawks, who defeated No. 18 UCF on Friday, fall to 6-2 overall, while Florida improves to 5-2-1.

In a back-and-forth contest, Kansas had decidedly more scoring opportunities, and led 1-0 on junior Shannon McCabe’s second goal of the season in the 59th minute.

Junior Monica Dolinsky sent a perfect ball across the field, where she connected with McCabe, who dribbled once and flipped a shot past Florida goalkeeper Meghan Berlingo. It was McCabe’s second goal of the year, and Dolinsky’s third assist.

However, Florida came roaring back.

First, Elliott used her head to direct a ball over goalkeeper Julie Hanley from the middle of the box on a scramble in front of the net in the 66th minute.

Then, Elliott bent a perfect shot into the top of the net from 25 yards out on the near side of the field at 82:31. Florida’s Ameera Abdullah was credited with the assist on the play.

Kansas had a golden opportunity for the equalizer in the 89th minute, when Kim Boyer was fouled just outside the penalty area. However, Dolinsky’s direct free kick sailed wide of the goal.

The Jayhawks outshot Florida 17-4 in the match, however several of KU’s shots were from 25 yards out. Boyer had the best of those opportunities with a blast from the top of the box that Berlingo just tipped over the crossbar in the 78th minute.

Dolinsky led the KU offense with six shots.

Kansas (6-2) will open Big 12 play next Friday when it travels to Nebraska for a 4:30 p.m. match against the Huskers.