Wildcats Continue Homestand vs. Detroit Mercy
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats (2-0-1) are set to continue their current five-match homestand against the Detroit Mercy Titans (3-1-1) on Tuesday night at The Bell.
The Wildcats, still unbeaten through the opening two weeks of the season, moved up one spot in last week’s United Soccer Coaches national poll, improving from No. 18 to No. 17 following a draw against the UCLA Bruins.
Midfielder Alex Ruiz continues to lead the Cats in scoring with his brace in the season opener against Western Michigan, assisted by fellow newcomer Joaquin Brizuela, who would go on to score the game-winner from the penalty spot vs. Bellarmine. Ruiz became the first player in program history to score two goals in his first appearance for the Wildcats against the Broncos, earning a 2-1 win on the road.
Through three games, Kentucky ranks seventh in the nation in corner kicks per game at 7.33 attempts, totaling 22 for the year thus far. The Wildcats’ defense, featuring goalkeeper Sebastian Conlon and defenders, Josh Gordon, Sinan Solmaz, Marqes Muir and Kaden Pollard, has also enjoyed a strong start to the new year, allowing just one goal in 270 minutes of play, ranking inside the top 20 in Division I with an average of 0.333 per match.
The Wildcats’ upcoming schedule features two more non-conference matchups, including the meeting with Detroit Mercy, and against Bowling Green on Sept. 14 prior to the Sun Belt Conference opener against UCF on Sept. 19. UK will matchup with two more non-conference opponents after the start of SBC play, first against Louisville on Sept. 23 and finally against Indiana on Oct.14.
Detroit Mercy travels to Lexington coming off a 3-0 win on the road against Chicago State on Friday. The Titans kicked off the season with a scoreless draw against then 12th-ranked Dayton, then followed by a pair of 2-0 wins against Mercyhurst and Butler. They were handed their first loss of 2025 by Michigan State in a 1-0 result in East Lansing.
Kickoff for tomorrow’s match vs. Detroit Mercy is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. It is faculty/staff appreciation night at The Bell, as we honor and recognize our professors and UK staff members at halftime. Admission to all 2025 Kentucky soccer matches is free to all fans.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s soccer team, follow @UKMensSoccer on X, Facebook and Instagram, as well as on the web at UKAthletics.com.
