Wildcats Begin SEC Slate vs. No. 15 Ole Miss
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Boasting the program’s most non-conference wins since 2015, Kentucky women’s soccer (7-1-0) commences conference play this Friday at 5 p.m. as the Wildcats meet No. 15 Ole Miss (6-0-2) at the Wendell and Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
The match will serve as the first leg of a doubleheader at the Bell with No. 6 Kentucky men’s soccer taking on No. 7 Marshall in the nightcap.
The UK women netted a season-high five goals when last in action, defeating the visiting Eastern Michigan Eagles by a score of 5-1. Senior forwards Jordyn Rhodes and Hannah Richardson had three points apiece in the match, while sophomore Emilie Rhode became the first Kentucky player to register a brace off the bench since Alicia Browning in 2007. The Cats recorded a season-high 28 shots in the contest, 12 of which were on target.
Kentucky’s 26 goals this season are tied for the sixth most in the nation and stand as the top mark in the SEC. The Cats are also yet to surrender more than one goal in any of their eight matches, the longest such streak in a single season since 10 straight in 2006.
Ole Miss (6-0-2) is unbeaten on the season and has allowed just two goals through eight matches. The Rebels are coming off a 0-0 draw against Southern Miss despite outshooting the Golden Eagles 22-1. Marykate McGuire leads the squad with five goals, while fellow senior Mo O’Connor has four. In goal, Ashley Orkus has posted six shutouts, tying her for the most in Division I.
Friday’s contest will feature two of the top offensive creators in the country in Kentucky’s Hannah Richardson and Mississippi’s Taylor Radecki. Richardson and Radecki are part of a three-way tie for the NCAA lead in total assists with seven apiece this season.
Kentucky trails the all-time series between the schools 11-12-1. The teams last met in 2018 when the Rebels came away with a 2-0 victory in Lexington.
Admission to the Wendell and Vickie Bell Soccer Complex is free to all fans for the 2022 season. Those unable to attend can catch the action live on SECN+ with Josh Braun and Gavin Colton on the call.
For the latest on UK Women’s Soccer, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @UKWomensSoccer, on Facebook and on the web at UKathletics.com.
