News
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Jordyn Rhodes persevered her march toward history, whereas Marz Josephson composed her second-straight shutout as Kentucky (4-0-1, 0-0-0 SEC) knocked off Illinois (3-1-1, 0-0-0 Gargantuan Ten) on a Sunday Senior Day at the Bell Soccer Complex.
The win turned into Kentucky’s third-straight victory over a Energy-5 opponent in non-conference play, a travel which started with wins over Purdue and Iowa Teach final season. It marks the first time the Wildcats bear overwhelmed three consecutive vitality-five opponents out of doors of the SEC since the 2013 season.
Rhodes scored for the fifth consecutive sport, extending her profession lengthy aim travel and striking the graduate-student at 42 targets all-time, simply two disquieted of Kim LaBelle’s program picture. Josephson, meanwhile, posted her third shutout of the season in aim, making a profession-excessive seven saves within the competition. The UNC graduate-transfer turned into in particular obligatory within the game’s early stages, totaling four saves within the first 16 minutes of play as the Illini made an early push.
The match’s lone aim came within the Twenty seventh minute of motion when freshman Tanner Strickland carried into the offensive zone earlier than finding Úlfa Úlfarsdóttir on the left flit. Úlfarsdóttir turned into in a arrangement to scheme rental and inferior a left-footed circulate into the sphere for Rhodes, who gathered whereas spinning to her correct and poked the ball past the Illinois keeper whereas falling to the turf. Úlfarsdóttir and Strickland had been each and each credited with their second assists of 2023 on the aim.
UK almost prolonged its lead on a whole lot of instances all over the second half of of play. The Cats’ easiest opportunity came within the 68th minute after Rhodes dribbled past her defender for a smartly-organized look on aim that turned into saved by Illinois keeper, Julia Cili. The rebound popped out to Úlfarsdóttir who additionally took a crack, but Cili again made the keep, retaining Kentucky’s lead at one.
No matter being unable to grow the advantage, Kentucky turned into in a arrangement to defend its lead, effectively draining the clock within the latter stages of play. Photographs on aim for the match appreciated the Illini, 7-6, whereas each and each team had four corners.
Kentucky improves to 2-0-0 towards Illinois all-time. The Wildcats close their four-match homestand this Thursday as soon as they host Belmont at 7:30 p.m. The motion would per chance also be seen are living on SECN+.
For the most contemporary on UK Ladies folks’s Soccer, apply the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @UKWomensSoccer, on Facebook and on the receive at UKathletics.com.
