Wildcats Return to Non-Conference Play with Top 25 Matchup at No. 12 Louisville
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats (4-0-2, 1-0-0 SBC) return to non-conference play Tuesday night in a top 25 showdown against the 12th-ranked Louisville Cardinals (5-2-0, 1-2-0 ACC) under the lights at Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium.
In 30 previous matchups against Louisville, the Wildcats boast a 15-10-5 all-time record against the Cardinals. The Cats will look to extend their all-time lead over their archrival but also snap a two-game losing streak against the Cardinals, coming off back-to-back losses in 2023 and 2024.
The 22nd-ranked Wildcats will face their second ranked opponent of the season tomorrow when they travel to Louisville tomorrow night, and the first since the season-opening, 2-1 win over preseason No. 20 Western Michigan on Aug. 21.
Midfielder Bertil Alban enters matchweek six of the 2025 season on an incredible run of form, scoring in each of the last three games for Kentucky, currently featuring as the Wildcats’ second leading goalscorer behind midfielder Alex Ruiz with five goals.
Following a 1-1 draw with Bowling Green on Sept. 14, the Wildcats claimed their fourth win of the 2025 season Friday night at The Bell in a thrilling 3-2 win over UCF in the Sun Belt Conference opener. Along with Alban, junior forward Isaiah Chisolm and junior defender Sinan Solmaz both scored their first goals of the season, as well as Solmaz’s first goal as a Wildcat, less than three minutes apart to help propel UK past the Knights, earning the first three points of SBC play.
The Louisville Cardinals, currently ranked as the No. 12 team in the nation according to the United Soccer Coaches’ poll, enter the week coming off two consecutive losses to ACC opponents, including a 1-0 loss to No. 24 Virginia and a 3-0 loss to Notre Dame. Prior to those outings, the Cardinals boasted a perfect 13-0 goal difference to start the season, including a pair of 1-0 wins over No. 1 Stanford and Ohio State.
Sophomore forward Chase Vasquez leads the way for Louisville in the scoring department, recording three goals and two assists in his first six appearances in 2025. The Cardinals have also received goal-contributions from eight other players, including forwards Michael Lee and Quinton Wilson both with two goals.
On the defensive side of the pitch, through seven games, Louisville goalkeeper Alex Svetanoff and the Cardinals backline have kept five clean sheets this season, ranking second in the NCAA.
Kickoff for Kentucky vs. Louisville is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium in Louisville, Ky. The match will be streaming on ACC Network.
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.
