Wildcats Return to The Bell, Host Bellarmine in 2025 Home Opener
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Following a season-opening win against Western Michigan, the Kentucky Wildcats (1-0-0) return to Lexington and The Bell Soccer Complex for the start of a five-match homestand against the Bellarmine Knights (0-0-1) on Monday night.
Last week, the Wildcats won their fifth consecutive opening day match, dating back to the 2021 season, with a 2-1 win in Kalamazoo, Mich. over No. 20 Western Michigan. Fifth-year midfielder Alex Ruiz recorded his first career goals in a Kentucky uniform with scores in the 21st and 76th minutes. The first goal of the 2025 season was set up by fellow newcomer Joaquin Brizuela from a headed assist and a long ball from goalkeeper Sebastian Conlon.
Eight players made their Wildcat debut against the Broncos on Thursday, including Ruiz, Brizuela, Conlon, defender Sinan Solmaz and forward Gustav Renman featuring in the starting XI. Defender Dan McHale, midfielder Kevin Larsson and forward Danny Isaac also made their UK debuts, each logging minutes coming off the bench.
Head coach Johan Cedergren’s squad will look to carry the momentum of a top 20 win into the first homestand of the new season, starting with the matchup against the Knights Monday night at The Bell. During the home stretch, the Wildcats will also face UCLA (Sept. 1), Detroit Mercy (Sept. 9) and Bowling Green (Sept. 14). UK will close out the homestand with the Sun Belt Conference opener against UCF on Sept. 19.
Bellarmine enters matchweek two of the new season coming off a 1-1 draw on the road against Evansville on Thursday. The Knights were voted to finish eighth in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll after a 5-6-5 campaign in 2024. Senior defender Rhys Davies, who featured in the starting XI and played the full 90 minutes in the season opener, was the lone Knight to be named to the ASUN Preseason All-Conference Team.
Kentucky will face Bellarmine for just the second time in program history on Monday. The Wildcats earned a 2-1 win over the Knights in the two programs’ first ever meeting back in 2021.
Kickoff for the Wildcats 2025 home opener against Bellarmine is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at The Bell Soccer Complex. The promotion for Monday’s match is Blue Out Night at The Bell. Admission to all 2025 Kentucky men’s and women’s soccer matches is free to all fans.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s soccer team, follow @UKMensSoccer on X, Facebook and Instagram, as well as on the web at UKAthletics.com.
