No. 19 Kentucky Falls in SBC Semifinal to UCF
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats (10-3-5, 7-1-1 SBC) were eliminated from the Sun Belt Tournament in a 0-1 defeat to the No. 5 seed UCF Knights (9-6-3, 4-3-2 SBC) in a semifinal matchup in Lexington.
The loss to UCF in the SBC tournament semifinal is just the Wildcats’ second loss at home in 2025, and just their third loss of the season. Kentucky currently ranks 19th in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and 37th in the NCAA RPI rankings heading into Selection Monday.
UCF outshot Kentucky 7-2 in the first half, however, neither side was able to find the back of the net or record a shot on goal. For the 10th time this season, the scoreline would remain even at 0-0 heading into the halftime break.
Just five after start of the second half, UCF got in behind the Wildcats’ defense and opened the scoring in the 50th minute with a goal from Drew Hanson, coming off an assist from Joey Mueller, to give the Knights the lead just out of the intermission.
The frustrating night for Kentucky would continue into the late stages of the second half, as the Wildcats were able to create scoring chances on the offensive end, but were unable to capitalize and find an equalizer over the final half hour of the match.
An impressive performance from UCF’s defensive backline would prove to be enough to propel the Knights to a 1-0 win over the Wildcats at The Bell and send them to the Sun Belt Championship on Sunday against the winner of No. 2 West Virginia and No. 3 Marshall.
Following their exit from the Sun Belt tournament, the Wildcats will await the announcement of the NCAA Tournament bracket on Monday, Nov. 17.
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.
