Bertil Alban Scores in Second Consecutive Match, Kentucky Draws 1-1 vs. Bowling Green
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats (3-0-2) were held to their second draw of the 2025 season today in a Sunday afternoon meeting with the Bowling Green Falcons, the 23rd all-time matchup between the two programs.
With the 1-1 draw against Bowling Green, Kentucky’s home unbeaten streak extends to nine games, including four wins and five draws during that stretch. The Wildcats upcoming schedule features one more match at The Bell vs. UCF on Friday before heading back out on the road for a pair of matchups against No. 6 Louisville and Coastal Carolina.
Bowling Green struck first in the early going with a goal from All-American forward Trace Terry in the sixth-minute, his fourth goal of the season, beating the Kentucky defense and placing the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. The early goal from the Falcons marks just the second goal the Wildcats have allowed this season, and the first time the opposition has opened the scoring through the first five outings.
Midfielder Bertil Alban, scoring his second goal of the season in his second consecutive game, equalized for Kentucky in the 30th minute, coming off a corner kick from Alex Ruiz, evening the scoreline at 1-1. Despite scoring opportunities from both sides, the score would remain at 1-1 heading into the halftime break after the first 45 minutes of play.
Kentucky ramped up the offensive pressure in the second half, pushing 18 shots across the Bowling Green net, but were unable to supply a game-winning goal. The Wildcats created three notable scoring chances in the second 45, first from a headed attempt by forward Gustav Renman in the 65th minute, coming off a cross from defender Josh Gordon. Later in the second half, in the 74th minute, Gordon sent a weak-footed shot straight into the gloves of the Bowling Green goalkeeper, followed by a shot from Joaquin Brizuela on the edge of the 18-yard box that rolled inches to the right of the right post of the goal in the 85th minute.
The Wildcats recorded a season-high 27 total shots over the course of the 90 minutes today, including eight shots on frame, forcing Bowling Green goalkeeper Enzo Gil into seven saves on the afternoon. On the other end, Kentucky goalkeeper Sebastian Conlon recorded three saves, improving his total to 10 for the season, including a kick save in the 73rd minute to keep Terry from adding his second goal of the game and to keep the score level at 1-1.
The Wildcats conclude a five-match homestand later this week, as they are set to take on the UCF Knights in the Sun Belt Conference opener on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET at The Bell Soccer Complex.
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.
