No. 17 Kentucky Ties No. 12 Charlotte 1-1 in C-USA Opener
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 17 Kentucky tied No. 12 Charlotte 1-1 on Sunday afternoon in both teams’ Conference USA opener and second consecutive draw with a nationally ranked opponent.
The Wildcats move to 2-1-2 overall, while the 49ers go to 3-0-2 following a scoreless tie with No. 25 West Virginia last Tuesday.
After facing a 1-0 halftime deficit versus No. 11 Xavier last Wednesday, Kentucky needed another second-half comeback to notch things up on Sunday once Charlotte scored off a penalty kick in the 35th minute. This time, it was 2019 C-USA Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year Kalil ElMedkhar who answered the call.
The Delaware native recorded his first goal of the season in the 60th minute by way of a cross in the box from sophomore forward Daniel Evans. ElMedkhar assisted Evans around the same point of the second half in Kentucky’s 2-2 midweek tie with the Musketeers.
The Cats attempted eight shots in Sunday’s match, and Charlotte fired 12. ElMedkhar and Jason Reyes tried two, while Cole Guindon, Marcel Meinzer, Brock Lindow and Robert Screen attempted one shot apiece. UK goalkeeper Enrique Facusse finished with four saves, tying a season high.
With either Kentucky or Charlotte finishing atop the C-USA standings in four of the last five seasons, the schools’ all-time head-to-head series remains tied at 4-4-2.
Kentucky will return home on Saturday, continuing league play against Florida Atlantic (2-2, 0-1 C-USA) at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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