Úlfarsdóttir Scores, Josephson Stops PK in 1-1 Draw at Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Kentucky women’s soccer (7-0-5, 1-0-4 SEC) set a program record with its 12th consecutive result to begin the season, drawing Tennessee (6-2-4, 1-1-3), 1-1 at the Regal Soccer Stadium on Thursday night.

Senior Úlfa Úlfarsdóttir registered her third goal of the season in the contest, while goalkeeper Marz Josephson made six saves, including one on a penalty, sending the Wildcats home with their fourth draw in five SEC matches.

Neither side put a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, which ended with the score knotted at zero. Tennessee applied pressure with six first-half corners, but the Wildcats defense was able to combat the danger and keep the Vols off the board.

Action picked up in the second half as the Cats came out of the locker room looking dangerous. Kentucky got a clean look on goal in the 56th minute when a long pass from Grace Phillpotts sprung Úlfarsdóttir on the left wing. Úlfarsdóttir chased down the ball and played a perfect ball to Jordyn Rhodes, who directed a header on frame that was turned aside by Tennessee goalkeeper Ally Zazzara.

Despite this unsuccessful bid, UK continued to generate chances eventually capitalizing in the 60th minute. After a Volunteers’ corner was cleared to midfield, senior Anna Young won a 50-50 ball and played a pass into the offensive zone that was tracked down by Rhodes. Rhodes proceeded to one-touch a left footed pass into the box, which was run onto by Úlfarsdóttir and finished past the keeper, near post. The goal with the third of the season for the Iceland native, with Rhodes picking up her second assist of the season and Young registering her first career point on the secondary helper.

Just nine minutes after Kentucky took the advantage, UT responded with a 69th minute goal by Nayeli Diaz. The score came off a free kick by Tennessee’s Jordan Fusco which was saved off a bounce by Josephson. The rebound bounced to the Volunteers’ Ally Brown who passed to Diaz for a left-footed finish.

Shortly after the match was leveled, Fusco was sent off with her second yellow card of the night, allowing Kentucky to play a man up for the final 17 minutes. It was Tennessee, however, who mustered the best late game chances, most notably on a penalty kick in the 80th minute. After a handball in the box was called on Kentucky’s Taya Hjorth, Tennessee’s Maria Nelson stepped to the spot. Nelson went left with the effort, but the shot was read by Josephson who made a diving stop to prevent the goal.

Each team managed a couple more shots, including a last second bid by Kentucky’s Tanner Strickland, but the score line remained level.

Kentucky is back at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex this Sunday for a nationally televised tilt vs. Vanderbilt. Match time is set for 3 p.m. on SEC Network.

For the latest on UK Women’s Soccer, follow the Wildcats on X and Instagram at @UKWomensSoccer, on Facebook and on the web at UKathletics.com.