Bjorgolfsson Scores Twice in Double-Overtime Comeback at ODU
NORFOLK, Va. – It took nearly 107 minutes in a shorthanded come-from-behind effort, but No. 20 Kentucky (8-2-3, 2-1-1 Conference USA) ultimately toughed out its first league road win by way of a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Old Dominion (3-8-1, 1-3-1 C-USA) on Saturday night at ODU Soccer Complex.
Kentucky was led by the first two goals of freshman Eythor Bjorgolfsson’s young career in his first start of the season, marking the first brace by a Wildcat since Aimé Mabika led UK to a 3-2 season-opening win over UAlbany on Aug. 30.
After a scoreless first half for both sides, the second period proved to be exceptionally action-packed across the board. Kentucky fired 14 of its season-high 26 shot attempts in the second 45-minute installment, though it was the home team that recorded the contest’s first goal.
In the 49th minute, UK sophomore and former Clemson transfer Mason Visconti was given his team’s first red card of the season after receiving his first starting nod. With only 10 players on the field, the Cats conceded a goal to ODU fifth-year senior Jimmy Filerman two minutes later.
Three more yellow cards were handed out between the teams in the following two minutes before a fourth was given at the 62-minute mark. When UK midfielder Marcel Meinzer lined up for a corner kick in the 70th minute, Bjorgolfsson tied the match with a header to the back of the net.
Fifteen seconds after the whistle that resumed play, the status quo was further shifted when Filerman received his second yellow card of the game. The subsequent red card and ejection leveled the sides to 10 men apiece, which remained the case for the final 20 minutes of regulation.
Neither team attempted a shot in the first overtime stanza, though Old Dominion was dealt a sizable blow when freshman Kevin Ramos was handed his second yellow card and ejected from the match in the final minute of the period.
In a 10-versus-9 second overtime, Kentucky outshot the overpowered Monarchs 5-0. Meinzer delivered a free kick to team co-captain Bailey Rouse, who assisted Bjorgolfsson on the golden goal.
The match ended with 14 fouls, a red card and three yellow cards for Kentucky. Old Dominion was issued 19 fouls and six yellow cards, resulting in two reds. Facing 12 shots from the opposition, UK goalkeeper Enrique Facusse recorded a season-high five saves.
Kentucky will rest for an entire week, returning to Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex on Sunday, Oct. 27 for a matchup with South Carolina at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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.
