LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky women’s soccer (4-1-0, 0-0-0 SEC) returns to the Bell Soccer Complex on Thursday night for one of the most anticipated matchups of the nonconference season, as the Wildcats welcome in-state rival Louisville (4-1-0, 0-0-0 ACC) to The Bell for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on SEC Network+.
The Battle of the Bluegrass returns to the regular-season schedule for the first time since 2016, renewing a rivalry that has produced 18 previous meetings between the two programs. Kentucky owns a 12-4-2 all-time record against the Cardinals, including a 6-1-0 mark in Lexington.
While Thursday marks the first regular-season meeting between the teams in nearly a decade, the Wildcats and Cardinals met most recently in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Kentucky was narrowly defeated by Louisville, 5-4, in a penalty-kick shootout following a 1-1 draw in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Kentucky enters Thursday’s rivalry matchup at 4-1-0 on the season after opening the year with four wins in its first five matches. The Wildcats most recently erupted for nine goals in a 9-1 victory over Wright State on Aug. 30, recording the second-most goals in program history and receiving goals from six different players.
The Wildcats have been among the nation’s most prolific offenses through the opening weeks of the season, totaling 26 goals on 112 shots. Kentucky is averaging 5.20 goals per game and has outshot its opponents 112-37. The Cats also rank among the national leaders in shots on goal and corner kicks per game.
Kentucky has made the Bell Soccer Complex a difficult place for opponents to play under head coach Troy Fabiano. The Wildcats have lost just four times at home over the past three seasons, while Fabiano owns a 35-8-7 record in matches at the Bell during his Kentucky tenure.
Louisville enters the matchup with an identical 4-1-0 record and is coming off a 5-0 victory over Akron on Aug. 30. The Cardinals finished the 2025 season 13-5-3 overall and 6-2-2 in ACC play.
Forward Amelia Swinarski leads Louisville with four goals and 11 points this season, while Karina Peat has recorded a team-best four assists and Nicole Jodoin has registered a team-high 16 shots on goal.
Thursday’s contest will mark the 19th meeting all-time between the Wildcats and Cardinals, with Kentucky holding a 12-4-2 advantage in the series. The Wildcats are 6-1-0 against Louisville at the Bell.
With the rivalry returning to the regular-season schedule for the first time since 2016 , and with the memory of last season’s NCAA Tournament meeting still fresh, Thursday’s matchup promises to bring another chapter to the Battle of the Bluegrass.
Along with free admission all season long, fans are encouraged to wear blue. Additionally, the first 250 students will get free pizza at the match.
Admission to all 2026 Kentucky Soccer regular season home matches will be free to the public. For the latest on UK Women’s Soccer, follow the Wildcats on Facebook, Instagram, X and at UKathletics.com.
