Trip to Texas A&M Begins SEC Slate for Women’s Soccer
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky women’s soccer (6-0-1, 0-0-0 SEC) commences conference play this Friday night as the Wildcats head to Texas A&M (3-3-1, 0-0-0 SEC) for their opening SEC match of the 2023 season. First touch is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Ellis Field with the game airing live on SECN+.
Kentucky finished off an unbeaten run through non-conference play last Sunday with a 3-0 win at Iowa State. It marked the first time the Cats have gone without a loss outside of the SEC since 2007. The Wildcats’ 6-0-1 start to the season is the program’s best record through seven matches since UK was 7-0-0 in 2011.
The Cats have not allowed a goal in their last four contests and are outscoring opponents 15-2 on the season overall. Goalkeeper Marz Josephson is leading the SEC in GAA (0.29), save percentage (.875) and shutouts (five), while fifth-year forward Jordyn Rhodes is tied for the conference lead in goals at six. Rhodes remains two goals shy of Kim LaBelle’s program record of 44 career goals.
Freshman Tanner Strickland was key for Kentucky last week in wins over Belmont and Iowa State. The midfielder had four points on the week, including her first collegiate goal against the Cyclones. Strickland leads the team with four assists this season, tied for the most in the SEC. It is the most assists recorded by a UK freshman since Abby Steiner had four in 2018.
After beginning the year 0-2-1, Texas A&M has fought back to the .500 mark, winning three of its last four matches. The Aggies defeated Rice, 4-0, in their last outing with four different players registering a goal. A&M, who went 3-4-3 in the league last year, was picked to finish fifth in the 2023 SEC preseason poll.
The team has three all-conference returners led by First Team All-SEC forward, Maile Hayes. Hayes shares the team lead with three goals this season alongside Arizona State transfer, Jazmine Wilkinson. Junior Carissa Boeckmann and grad-transfer Sammy Smith each have four assists on the year.
UK is 0-8-1 in nine meetings all-time vs. Texas A&M. The teams last played in 2021, a 3-0 win for the Aggies in Lexington.
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.
