Mabika Nets Two Penalty Kicks in Cats’ 3-2 Triumph
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Recapturing the momentum of the most successful men’s soccer campaign in program history last season, No. 8 Kentucky (1-0) picked up right where it left off with a 3-2 victory over UAlbany (0-1) on Friday at Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
The Wildcats were led by 2019 Conference USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Aimé Mabika, whose offense was the story of the night by way of the first brace of his career.
“There have been a lot of expectations with the season that we had last year,” said Mabika. “We’ve been working since January to prove that it wasn’t a one-off.”
Kentucky’s first goal of the night was set into motion when former Clemson transfer Mason Visconti was fouled in the Great Danes’ penalty box in the 40th minute. Mabika connected on the ensuing penalty kick to give his team a 1-0 lead that held for the remainder of the half.
In the second half, UAlbany responded with a well-executed corner kick that ended in a goal for Alex Bourgeois shortly after the 60-minute mark. The contest lingered in a 2-2 deadlock for just under 15 minutes before an additional flurry of scores proved to be the deciding factor.
Another Great Danes foul in their own box set up a second penalty kick for Mabika in the 75th minute. The 6-foot-6 Lexington native remained flawless on the fifth attempt of his first three seasons, putting the Cats back on top with a 2-1 advantage. Fifty seconds later, a handball on the UK back line allowed UAlbany’s Austin DaSilva to put a penalty kick of his own in the back of the net.
It was C-USA Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year Jason Reyes, however, who provided the game winner and the match’s third goal in two minutes with a shot outside the box that zipped between the goalkeeper’s legs. Both Kalil ElMedkhar and Daniel Evans were credited with the assist.
Kentucky moves to 18-10-1 all-time in season openers, capped off by five consecutive wins. The Wildcats will face the season’s first road test on Tuesday, taking on No. 14 Louisville (0-0-1) at 7:30 p.m. ET. UK defeated the Cardinals 3-0 at home in 2018.
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.
