Aug. 27, 2008

The UK women’s soccer team takes on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus Wednesday, in their lone exhibition before the regular season begins August 28.

The Wildcats own a 4-0-1 record against the Buckeyes, but haven’t traveled to Columbus since the 2005 season. The two last met on the soccer pitch in the 2006 season, a 3-0 victory by the Cats.

Kentucky returns eight starters off last year’s SEC Tournament squad, including leading goal scorers, Alicia Browning and Laura Novikoff. Also rejoining the team will be 2006 Freshman All-America Giuleana Lopez. Lopez sat out last season while recovering from off-season knee surgery. The sophomore forward led the Wildcats in scoring in 2006 with 25 points (10 goals, 5 assists).

UK also returns all four defensive starters, Tara Herold, Kate Hughes, Julie Hull and Kelly Miller as well as goalkeeper Sydney Hiance.

Ohio State brings a young team into the match, sporting a 29-person roster, 24 of which are freshmen or sophomores. The Buckeyes do return junior goalkeeper Lauren Robertson, who has started 40 of 42 games the past two years, posting a 1.08 goals against average.

The exhibition, which will be played at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, is scheduled for a 7:00 kickoff.

The Wildcats open the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 28 as they host eighth-ranked Texas at the UK Soccer Complex.