Women’s Soccer Closes August vs. UT Martin
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky (2-0-1, 0-0-0 SEC) rounds out its August slate this Thursday when the Wildcats face UT Martin (2-1-0, 0-0-0 OVC) at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Fans can purchase single game or season tickets at the tickets link provided. The match can also be seen live on SECN+. Thursday night will be a celebration of the recent women’s World Cup with a giveaway of UK themed World Cup flags for fans in attendance.
The Wildcats, coming off a 1-1 draw against Valparaiso, remain unbeaten on the young season as they play their final match of August. Jordyn Rhodes, who has scored four times through the season’s first three matches, continues to chase the program’s all-time goals record held by Kim LaBelle at 44. Rhodes currently sits at 40 goals for her UK career.
Entering the week, Rhodes is among the tops in the SEC in a number of categories. The fifth-year forward leads the league in goals per game (1.33), points per game (2.67) and shots per game (4.76). She is also tied for first in total goals (four) and total points (eight). Freshmen Tanner Strickland and Grace Hoytink are among the six Wildcats with at least one point this season, having each registered an assist.
With head coach Mike Varga in his first season with the program, UT Martin has earned victories over Austin Peay and Western Carolina, while its lone loss of the 2023 season came at the hands of Appalachian State. Martin returns seven starters from its 2022 team including first team All-OVC member, Izzy Paterson. Junior forward Makayla Robinson leads the Skyhawks with two goals this season, while both Catey Hunt (defender) and Poppy Bastock (goalkeeper) have earned OVC Player of the Week honors.
Kentucky holds a 2-0-0 record against UT Martin all-time. The Wildcats defeated the Skyhawks in Martin last season, winning 4-1 behind two goals from Úlfa Úlfarsdóttir. Thursday’s match will also showcase current Wildcat Maria Castaldo facing her former team. Castaldo spent four seasons at UTM and was a two-time All OVC First-Team selection.
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.
