LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s soccer team (5-3-0, 1-0-0 SEC) opened conference play with a victory over Texas A&M (4-4-0, 0-1-0 SEC), 3-2, on Friday, Sept. 11, at the Bell Soccer Complex. The Wildcats recorded their second straight win against the Aggies.

The Aggies pulled ahead of the Wildcats early in the match. Senior midfielder Bella Carapazza had a good look for Texas A&M, posting a shot on goal that got saved by sophomore goalkeeper Megan Holland. Immediately following Holland’s save, the Aggies’ Ireland Churchill found the back of the net in the seventh minute, giving Texas A&M the early advantage.

In the 45th minute, the Wildcats were able to level the score going into the second half. Junior midfielder Juliette Rayo found the equalizer in the final seconds of the first half, recording her sixth goal of the season.

Kentucky brought the energy into the second half, finding multiple surges, including a shot on goal from freshman Sydney Arendarczyk that ultimately got blocked by Aggie goalkeeper Makenna August.

In the 70th minute, Arendarczyk gave the Wildcats the advantage over the Aggies, securing the second goal of her career off an assist from sophomore midfielder Alexa Pino.

Texas A&M responded in the 75th minute with another goal from Churchill off a feed from Trinity Buchanan and Kieana Smith, making the score even going into the final 15 minutes of regulation.

Junior forward Kendall Campbell put the Wildcats ahead 3-2 just two minutes later, recording an unassisted goal off a free kick.

In the 86th minute, Churchill earned a penalty kick in the top of the box after a foul from Elise Ernest. Buchanan was given the chance to equalize but was denied by Holland with a critical save. The Wildcats held on to the lead until time expired, starting SEC play with a victory.

Holland finished the night with four saves, while Texas A&M’s Makenna August recorded two.

Although the Wildcats outshot the Aggies 11-10, it was Texas A&M who had the 6-5 advantage in shots on goal and an 11-5 edge in corner kicks. Kentucky improves its all-time series record against Texas A&M to 2-8-2.

Up next, the Wildcats will hit the road for their first away match against a conference opponent. Kentucky will travel to Columbia, Mo., to take on the Missouri Tigers on Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. ET.

Admission to all 2026 Kentucky Soccer regular season home matches will be free to the public. For the latest on UK Women’s Soccer, follow the Wildcats on Facebook, Instagram, X and at UKathletics.com.