ElMedkhar, Williams Goals Send No. 3 Kentucky Men’s Soccer to C-USA Final
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kalil ElMedkhar and JJ Williams scored within the first 18 minutes and UK held on from there to advance to Sunday’s Conference USA Tournament final with a 2-1 victory against Marshall on Friday.
Kentucky advanced to play No. 14-ranked Charlotte in the C-USA Tournament Final on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. That match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
This year’s C-USA Tournament is taking place at Charlotte’s home TransAmerica Field.
Friday’s victory was UK’s 16th of the season as the Wildcats moved into a tie with the 1995 Kentucky side for most wins in a single season.
UK has won seven in a row, improving its 2018 won-lost-drawn record to 16-1-1.
“It was a hard-fought match” ElMedkhar said. “We knew coming in Marshall gave us a hard time, we went into double overtime. We were prepared coming in. First half was really good, second half they came out on the front foot even with a player down they still fought.
“In the end, our defense held strong.”
The goals
ElMedkhar opened the scoring eight minutes in after Dan Evans – who made the first start of his career — drew the goalkeeper way off his line and dished the ball wide for Cole Guindon. The freshman left back’s cross fell in the box to Williams who laid it off for ElMedkhar to finish.
ElMedkhar returned the assiting favor to Williams 10 minutes later as the C-USA Player of the Year volleyed home at the back post from close range.
Williams’ goal would prove to be the winner as Marshall pulled a goal back just after the hour mark.
The notes
Kentucky has scored 42 and conceded nine goals to date.
Named C-USA Player of the Year and Offensive MVP on Tuesday, JJ Williams increased his school record for the most points in a season (two for goal, one for assist) to 37. He improved his league-leading goals total to 15 as well as his lead in game winners (eight).
Enrique Facusse’s goals-against average, which ranked fifth in the nation at the end of regular season play, dropped to .49. He saved 49 of 58 shots this season (85 percent).
ElMedkhar improved his offensive output to nine goals and nine assists this season. He is one assist away from tying the Kentucky single season record.
The quote
“We’re really happy,” Associate Head Coach Chase Wileman said. “At this point in the season, it’s about winning the game and advancing so I thought we did really well in the first half. We were in complete control, scored two great goals, had a lot of chances.
“Then I think it’s really difficult because in the second half Marshall’s season is over if they don’t win. They were throwing lots of numbers forward, putting balls in the box, being very direct and I think they caused us problems at times. We were happy because we managed to hold on to the result and now we’re in a final on Sunday, which is really exciting.”
The history
Kentucky leads the all-time series against Marshall 21-9-3.
UK has won two in a row – both this season — against The Herd and avenged last year’s C-USA first-round loss at Marshall’s hands.
UK advanced in the C-USA Tournament for the first time since 2013.
Kentucky reached to the C-USA Tournament Final for the third time in its history and first time in a decade.
UK was C-USA runner-up in 2006 and 2008. UK has never won the C-USA Tournament, but won three Mid-America Conference Tournament titles 1999-2001.
The setup
Kentucky entered the C-USA Tournament on Friday as the No. 1 seed, while Marshall was seeded fifth out of the seven teams invited to the tournament. Kentucky received a bye through Wednesday’s first round of tournament play after clinching the regular season title last Friday.
Marshall defeated the No. 4-seed Florida International on Wednesday by a 2-1 score line to advance to the second round.
The winner of the UK v Marshall match would go on to play the winner of Friday’s ODU v Charlotte semifinal.
Kentucky defeated Marshall 1-0 in double overtime in early October at The Bell.
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