UK Edged, 1-0, at South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kentucky women’s soccer (7-7-0, 0-6-0 SEC) dropped a 1-0 result to South Carolina (9-2-3, 4-2-0 SEC) on Sunday afternoon at Eugene E. Stone Stadium.
The UK backline held sturdy for most of the contest, and freshman goalkeeper Tallulah Miller registered four saves in what was a narrow defeat on the road.
South Carolina mounted sustained pressure in the Kentucky end for most of the first half, totaling eight corners in the frame. An organized Wildcats’ defense was repeatedly up to the task, however, turning the Gamecocks away at every opportunity.
UK had its first real offensive chance in the 43rd minute, as Hailey Farrington-Bentil floated a dangerous ball toward net from the right wing which was nudged out of bounds by the Gamecocks’ goalkeeper, Heather Hinz. Kentucky was unable to muster a goal from the ensuing corner, sending the match to the half with zeros across the scoreboard.
In the early stages of the second-half, forward Catherine Barry got SC on the board, finishing her fifth goal of the year in the 55th minute of play. Payton Patrick spotted Barry with a short pass inside the box, allowing Barry to find the bottom right corner from six-yards out.
Finding themselves down for the first time, the Cats began to up the offense pressure, pushing numbers forward with hopes of generating an equalizer.
This tactic led to a number of quality chances, including a free kick from just outside the box in the 61st minute which was blocked off by the SC wall.
Senior forward Jordyn Rhodes was a physical presence in the box in the second half, coming close to equalizing on several occasions. In the 64th minute, Rhodes directed a header wide left of the target. Then, with under five minutes to play, a well-played ball by Farrington-Bentil resulted in Rhodes being whistled for a foul after the senior collided with the keeper while trying to win the service.
Next on the schedule for UK is a home match vs. the Florida Gators Sunday, Oct. 16. The contest will begin at 1 p.m. and can be seen nationally on ESPNU.
For the latest on UK Women’s Soccer, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @UKWomensSoccer, on Facebook and on the web at UKathletics.com.
