Martin Soereide and Nick Zielonka Score to Draw Bradley 2-2
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s soccer (3-3-5, 2-0-2 Sun Belt) hosted Bradley (4-6-2, 1-3 MVC) on Tuesday evening at The Bell Soccer Complex with the match ending in a 2-2 draw.
At the halftime buzzer in the 45’, senior Martin Soereide scored his first goal of the season. His right-footed shot to the bottom left of the net was assisted by sophomore Silas Borgman. The assist was Borgman’s first of the 2024 match slate. The last-minute goal put the Cats up 1-0 leading into the halftime period.
Following the 15 minutes of rest, the Braves and Wildcats stepped back onto the pitch for the next 45 minutes of regulation. Only five minutes into the second half, Bradley’s Charlie Dickerson found an opportunity to equalize the match, 1-1. He was assisted by Joao Saraiva in the 51st minute.
Nine minutes later in the 60’, Bradley scored again to take the 2-1 advantage over Kentucky. DJ Koulai scored the goal for the Braves, assisted by Yohance Douglas.
The following 25 minutes of action remained scoreless until fifth-year senior Nick Zielonka found the opportunity to equalize the contest. He was assisted by freshman Mateo Franzotti who passed the ball to Zielonka for his second goal of the season. The New Jersey native took the pass from Franzotti shooting with his right foot, past the Bradley keeper, and into the top right of the goal.
Ryan Jack’s junior season record in the net has improved to 2-1-3 following the 2-2 draw. The Wildcats recorded 17 shots in 90 minutes of regulation while the Braves only tallied eight.
Kentucky and Bradley now hold an updated all-time series record of 2-1-1 (UK) with the first contest taking place in 1991. Tuesday night’s contest was the first draw between the two programs.
The Wildcats will set out on a two-game conference road trip to James Madison (10/19) and Central Florida (10/23). UK will return to The Bell the following week to host Coastal Carolina (10/27).
Big Blue Nation can purchase single match, group, and season tickets by clicking here. Tickets will also be available for purchase upon arrival to The Bell. Gates will open one hour prior to kick-off.
For the latest on Kentucky Men’s Soccer, follow @UKMensSoccer on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram, as well as on the web at UKAthletics.com.
