Rhodes Leads Conference with Fifth Goal of Season, Kentucky Loses at Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Kentucky women’s soccer team spoiled a Missouri shutout in the final minute of regulation on Sunday afternoon, after scoring its lone goal in the 89th minute, as Kentucky lost at Missouri, 4-1. It marked UK’s first loss in four weeks, as the Wildcats move to a 0-4-3 record this fall, and the Tigers advance to a 2-2-2 record this fall.
Just as the game was coming to a close, a foul was called on Haley Steinke from inside the penalty box after a collision with Emily Hähnel. Per usual, Jordyn Rhodes took the penalty kick, sending the ball low and left, past goalkeeper Isabella Alessio, and into the net to keep Missouri from its first shutout of the season.
The 89th-minute goal marked UK’s second straight, after recording a goal off a set piece in the final minute of regulation at then-No. 14 Auburn last weekend.
Rhodes, a proven threat up top, has taken three penalty kicks this season, connecting with the net on each of them. In just seven games this season, the sophomore has recorded five of Kentucky’s six goals, and she is the outright leader in goals in the Southeastern Conference as the league prepares for its final week of regular-season action. The South Lebanon, Ohio, native has now recorded 13 goals in her young career, which also leads the team.
Rhodes recorded a game-high eight shots against Missouri’s backline this afternoon, four more than any player on the field, meanwhile aiming three of those shots on frame, which tied a game high.
The Wildcats recorded a season-high 17 shots in the contest, launching seven of those on frame – Rhodes (3), Hähnel (2), Caroline Trout (1) and Julia Grosso (1).
Meanwhile, Kentucky competed with an undermanned roster because of injuries and COVID-19 protocol, while also down a key starter in centerback Marie Olsen who sat out of the contest after receiving a straight red card against then-No. 14 Auburn a week ago.
While Kentucky adjusted into its restructured backline, Missouri scored all four of its goals in the first half, earning two of those in the first six minutes of an assertive start to the contest. The Tigers recorded 10 shots on goal in the game, while UK goalkeeper Brooke Littman saved six of those.
Littman competed for all 90 minutes of the contest, as did Rhodes, Grosso, Trout, Marissa Bosco, Peyton Rimko and Úlfa Úlfarsdóttir. Littman, Trout and Úlfarsdóttir haven’t missed a minute of action all season.
The Wildcats have just one more game on their schedule before traveling to Orange Beach, Alabama, for the 2020 Southeastern Conference Championships. Kentucky will host Florida this Friday, November 6 at 7 p.m. ET at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
For the latest on the Kentucky women’s soccer program, follow?@UKWomensSoccer?on Twitter and on Instagram, on?Facebook?and on the web at?UKathletics.com.?
