UK Men’s Soccer to Begin Two-Match Road Trip at ETSU

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Coming off an undefeated homestand anchored by a 6-0 goal differential, the No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats (5-1-2) will travel to Johnson City, Tennessee, for the first installment of a two-part road trip in a matchup with the ETSU Buccaneers (3-3-2) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
 
The two sides have met annually since 2012 after East Tennessee State University inaugurated varsity men’s soccer play four years prior. Kentucky holds a 5-2 advantage in the all-time head-to-head series, with two of its last three wins coming in double overtime.
 
The Cats’ last three outings resulted in the second, third and fourth overall shutouts of the season for goalkeeper Enrique Facusse and the UK back line, headed by first-year starter John Michael Bandy and 2019 Conference USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Aimé Mabika.
 
C-USA Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year Kalil ElMedkhar registered a goal in all three contests after scoring his first of the season in a 1-1 tie at No. 12 Charlotte to open Kentucky’s league slate on Sept. 15. The Cats followed the result with a 3-0 win over Florida Atlantic on Sept. 21, a 2-0 win over Bowling Green on Sept. 24 and a 1-0 victory over Coastal Carolina on Sept. 28, landing at 1-0-1 in conference play.
 
ETSU enters Saturday on the heels of two straight draws, most recently in a 1-1 stalemate at Appalachian State last Tuesday. While untested in the Southern Conference, the Bucs have road tilts at C-USA affiliates Old Dominion and Marshall under their belts. ETSU defeated the Monarchs 3-2 in double overtime on Sept. 2, and the Thundering Herd emerged triumphant in a 2-1 final on Sept. 10.

Following Saturday’s battle, Kentucky will hit the road once more for a 7 p.m. kickoff at No. 8 Indiana on Wednesday.
 
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.