Oct. 26, 2003
LEXINGTON – No. 16 Tennessee raced out to a 3-0 first-half lead and never looked back, serving up a 4-1 defeat to Kentucky Sunday at a chilly UK Soccer Complex. The loss sends Kentucky tumbling to 6-8-2 overall and 4-3-2 in the conference. The Cats have dropped three-consecutive matches after embarking upon a six-match unbeaten streak.
Tennessee wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. In the third minute, senior Rhian Wilkinson, a member of the Canadian World Cup team, sent a cross from the right flank into the penalty box. Ali Christoph headed in the cross for the first Lady Vol goal. Wilkinson scored a goal of her own in the 35th minute, taking a feed from Sue Flamini and chipping in a 20-yarder over goalkeeper Liz Butler for a 2-0 Lady Vol lead. Kayla Lockaby dented the net on a sharp line drive from 19 yards out in the 41st minute, giving Tennessee a 3-0 halftime lead.
Kentucky would finally answer in the 48th minute. Senior Elizabeth Ramsey booted in a loose ball in front of the net for her team-leading seventh goal of the season, slicing the deficit to 3-1. Senior Lauren Russell registered a couple of scoring opportunities several minutes later, but a 58th minute shot went just wide and a 60th-minute shot was saved by UT goalkeeper Vanessa Phillips-Bosshart. The Lady Vols added a 72nd minute goal on a Rhian Wilkinson breakaway for the final 4-1 margin.
With conference play now behind them, the Cats will turn their attention to Senior Day, this Friday, Oct. 31 at the UK Soccer Complex. Kentucky will play host to Southern Methodist in a 7:30 p.m. match at the UK Soccer Complex.
