No. 8 Kentucky to Host UAlbany in Regular Season Opener
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fresh off a historic 2018 season that culminated in the program’s furthest postseason run, the No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats men’s soccer team looks to build off last year’s success in its regular season opener versus the UAlbany Great Danes on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
The Cats return 19 players from last season’s Conference USA title team, including 2019 C-USA Preseason Team honorees Kalil ElMedkhar, Enrique Facusse, Aimé Mabika and Jason Reyes. Kentucky swept the league’s individual preseason awards, as well, with Mabika earning C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and ElMedkhar and Reyes spliting the recognition for C-USA Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year.
ElMedkhar, Facusse and Mabika were also named to the United Soccer Coaches’ 2019 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List as early favorites to take home college soccer’s most prestigious national accolade at the conclusion of the season.
Reigning C-USA Coach of the Year Johan Cedergren enters his eighth season at the helm after guiding Kentucky to a record 19 wins and an Elite Eight appearance a year ago.
UAlbany finished with an 8-10 (3-4 America East Conference) record in 2018, falling 1-0 to UMass Lowell in the first round of the America East Tournament.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s soccer team, follow @UKMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as on the web at UKAthletics.com.
