Kentucky Drops 4-1 to No. 13 Arkansas in Home Opener
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s soccer team dropped its home opener to the Southeastern Conference favorite on Sunday, Sept. 27, losing to No. 13 Arkansas in a 4-1 decision at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
The Wildcats (0-2 SEC) were outshot by the Razorbacks (2-0 SEC) 15-4 on goal and 20-11 in overall attempts. Miranda Jimenez, Maria Olsen, Jordyn Rhodes and Úlfa Úlfarsdóttir were each credited with one shot on target apiece, while Rhodes scored Kentucky’s only goal of the contest.
Sophomore forward Rhodes earned her third goal of the season, and the 11th in her career, launching a penalty kick low and left past Razorback goalkeeper Alexis Bach in the 35th minute, which equalized the match ahead of the half.
Rhodes and freshman midfielder Olsen tied for the team lead in shots, releasing three each. Off the bench, sophomore forward Emily Hähnel carded two shots, while Julia Grosso, Jimenez and Úlfarsdóttir each logged one shot.
Redshirt senior goalkeeper Brooke Littman recorded a career-high 11 saves against an aggressive Razorback offense. The Notre Dame transfer allowed four goals in the contest – one in the first half and three in the second half. Forward Razorback Anna Podojill scored two of those goals – one in the seventh minute and another in the 53rd minute – and was credited with the assist on the other two goals – one to Taylor Malham in the 48th minute and another to Ava Tankersley in the 89th minute.
Littman didn’t miss a minute of action on Sunday evening, as didn’t Caroline Trout, Peyton Rimko, Olsen, Rhodes and Úlfarsdóttir. Meanwhile, junior defender Rimko earned a starting nod for the first time in her career, appearing in just her first game this season and her second game in collegiate soccer.
In their next match, the Wildcats will meet South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina, on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be carried on the SEC Network and the ESPN app.
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.
