LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s soccer team (7-5-2, 3-2-2 SEC) will hit the road to face the Tennessee Lady Volunteers (6-4-3, 1-4-2 SEC) at the Regal Soccer Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. ET. The match will be streamed on SEC Network+.
Tennessee owns the all-time series record against Kentucky, going 18-13-4 over the past three decades. The teams most recently met in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Nov. 3, 2024, when the Wildcats fell to the Volunteers, 1-0. They also met in the regular season in 2024, with Kentucky taking the dominant 4-0 win. Tennessee currently sits tied for 12th in the conference standings with five points, while Kentucky sits tied with Texas in seventh with 11.
So far this campaign, the Wildcats have earned a record of 7-5-2, including a conference mark of 3-2-2. The Cats added another point to their SEC standing earlier this week, battling to a 1-1 draw at No. 21 Auburn. In the 19th minute, junior midfielder Juliette Rayo struck in the bottom left side of the net. The opportunity came after a shot on goal from sophomore forward Rayna Powers was deflected by Auburn goalkeeper Ayana Yapo. The Tigers were able to find the equalizer late in the first half, with both teams being unable to pull ahead in the second. Holland recorded a career-high six saves on the night. Thursday’s match marks the sophomore’s fourth 5+ save performance this season, her third consecutive. Rayna Powers led the team on offense, posting career highs in both total shots (6) and shots on goal (2).
For her play in last week’s comeback victory over No. 25 Texas, Elise Ernest was crowned SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday, Oct. 12. This is the third time the honor was picked up by a Wildcat, with Kyla Dawn supplying the other two. Both freshmen made immediate impacts at Kentucky, starting in every match this season. Dawn currently ranks 16th in the nation in total goals with 10, the most by any freshman in the NCAA. In the conference, the Dallas native places third in both goals and points (22).
Also contributing at a high level is senior midfielder Nadia Ramadan. The transfer from Alabama has played in every single match this campaign, starting in 13 and scoring seven goals for the Wildcats. The consistent core for Kentucky is led by Katherine Truitt, Michelle Moskau, Juliette Rayo and Lexi Tylenda, who each have started in every match and recorded over 1,000 minutes of play this campaign. Goalkeeper Megan Holland is also a member of the 1,000+ minutes recorded squad, posting 44 saves and a shutout on the year.
As a team, Kentucky ranks in the top 16 nationally in three key offensive categories: scoring offense (11th NCAA, 3rd SEC, 2.64), total goals (8th NCAA, 3rd SEC, 37) and corner kicks per game (16th NCAA, 2nd SEC, 7.21).
Tennessee has posted an overall record of 6-4-3, including a conference mark of 1-4-2. The Volunteers hosted Arkansas in their most recent match, falling 1-0 to the Razorbacks. Fifth-year forward Kylee Simmons heads the team in goals (4), points (10), shots (30) and shots on goal (12). The Volunteers are led by head coach Joe Kirt, who is in his fifth season at the helm.
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.
