Women’s Soccer Falls to Vanderbilt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Kentucky women’s soccer (10-2-3, 2-2-3) lost to Vanderbilt (7-2-5, 2-2-3) 1-3 on Sunday evening. The loss is just the second loss of the season for the Wildcats.
Kentucky were outshot by the Commodores 11-9 on the night while both teams had five shots on target. Vanderbilt led the way in corners and saves with five while also picking up four yellow cards.
For the second game in a row, Makala Woods and Kentucky quickly opened the scoring after the forward converted from the penalty spot 30 seconds into the match. The in-form striker scored after just two minutes last Thursday against LSU and now has eight goals on the season. The goal is also the second-fastest goal in program history just behind Arin Gilliland’s finish 17 seconds into their match against No. 11 West Virginia in 2014.
The lead was short-lived however as the Commodores equalized in the fourth minute courtesy of Courtney Jones. It was a wild moment as the ball bounced around in the six-yard box after a cross. The Wildcat defenders failed to get a foot on the ball and Jones was there to finish the play. The game settled down for the remainder of the first half with neither side generating much of a chance before the break. Both teams entered the locker rooms at 1-1.
The game was turned on its head about 10 minutes into the second half as the Commodores put two past Marz Josephson in quick succession. Both Sydney Watts and Addie Porter scored in 1:18 seconds for the hosts for the 3-1 lead. A stunned Kentucky side tried to get back into the game for the remainder of the second half, earning six free kicks and three corner kick opportunities, but they failed to find the needed goal to spark a comeback.
Kentucky returns home on Friday, October 18th for a massive matchup against No. 14 Auburn (12-1-2, 4-1-2) at 7:30 p.m. Season tickets for all Kentucky soccer men’s and women’s home games can be purchased here, while single-game tickets are available here.
For the latest on UK Women’s Soccer, follow the Wildcats on Facebook, Instagram, X and at UKathletics.com.