Oct. 24, 2009

LEXINGTON, KY – The Wildcats play the first of two road matches to close out the season this weekend, traveling to Starkville, Miss. to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Both teams enter the match coming off losses, the Wildcats losing to Ole Miss 4-1, while Mississippi State dropped a 3-0 match at Vanderbilt.

Kentucky could not match the offensive intensity of the Rebels, allowing four goals, the most all season and the most since allowing four goals to the North Carolina at the beginning of the 2008 season.

Laura Novikoff netted her second goal in as many matches, successfully connecting on Kentucky’s first penalty kick of the season.

The Wildcats lead the all-time series with Mississippi State 8-2-0 and are 4-1-0 against the Bulldogs in Starkville. UK has won the last four in the series.

Kentucky is still alive in the SEC Tournament race with two matches remaining. The Wildcats currently sit two points out of eighth place and only four points out of seventh place. The top eight teams make the SEC Tournament, earning three points for a win and one point for a tie.

“(Making the tournament) is still under our control, but the line is getting more and more fine,” said UK head coach Jon Lipsitz. “We know what we’re playing for and I expect us to come out on Sunday and play our best. We have to be on our edge to be a great team.”

Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. ET. Live stats and blog will be available at UKathletics.com.