Brizuela Rescues 1-0 Win Over Bellarmine in Home Opener
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats (2-0-0) remain unbeaten through the opening two matches of the 2025 season with a gritty, 1-0 win over the Bellarmine Knights (0-1-1) in the first match of the season at The Bell Soccer Complex.
Coming off the heels of a 2-1 win at No. 20 Western Michigan on Thursday, the Wildcats grinded out a narrow, one-goal victory over the in-state opponent in the first of five consecutive home matches at The Bell for Kentucky.
With the win, Kentucky extends its home unbeaten streak to six games, earning their third win during that stretch dating back to last season.
The first half of play was relatively uneventful for both sides, with the Wildcats unable to break down the Bellarmine defense enough to break the scoreless tie in the opening 45 minutes. UK did send three shots across Bellarmine goalkeeper Peter van Euwen’s goal in the first half, including two on frame, forcing Euwen into a pair of goaline saves to keep the score at 0-0 heading into the break.
After the intermission, Kentucky ramped up the pressure on the offensive end, finishing the match with 13 total shots and 11 corners. The Wildcats would eventually find the break they were looking for in the form of a 65th minute penalty awarded after a foul just inside the Bellarmine 18-yard box. Virginia transfer forward Joaquin Brizuela, in his first appearance in front of the home crowd, stepped up to take the spot kick from six yards out and buried it into the bottom left corner, sending Euwen the wrong way to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Brizuela becomes the second Wildcat newcomer to score his first career goal for UK through the first two matches of the season, after Alex Ruiz’s brace last week against Western Michigan.
The Wildcats would hold on to that one-goal advantage through the final 25 minutes of the match, despite a few scoring opportunities from the Knights, to see out the 1-0 win.
Kentucky dominated possession in the midfield the majority of the night, finishing with a 64-36% advantage. The Wildcats outshot Bellarmine 13-2, including 6-1 on shots on goal and five attempts from the goalscorer Brizuela.
Following the win over Bellarmine in the home opener, the Wildcats will continue their five-match homestand, as they are set to take on the UCLA Bruins at The Bell on Monday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. ET.
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.
