No. 21 Kentucky women’s soccer (8-0-0) celebrated Senior Night with a 3-1 victory over Kent State (3-2-1) at the Bell Soccer Complex, marking the Wildcats’ seventh consecutive home win. Seniors Maddie Kemp, Grace Phillpotts, and Sophia Mattice each found the back of the net, propelling Kentucky to its eighth straight win and securing the best start in program history.
The Wildcats swept the non-conference portion of their schedule for the first time, dominating Kent State with a 15-5 shot advantage, including seven shots on target. The match saw six yellow cards, evenly split between the teams.
Match Recap
Kentucky wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. In the fifth minute, senior Maddie Kemp capitalized on a header from Anna Sikorski that hit the post, tapping in her third goal of the season.
Kent State responded in the 14th minute when Kelsey Salopek tapped in a rebound off the crossbar from a free kick, bringing the score to 1-1. It was only the second goal the Wildcats have conceded at home this season.
Five minutes before halftime, senior Grace Phillpotts scored a spectacular first career goal. From 30 yards out, she unleashed a curling strike that ricocheted off the post into the net, sending the Wildcats into the break with a 2-1 lead.
In the 52nd minute, senior Sophia Mattice sealed the victory by finishing a loose ball from a corner kick scramble, recording her first goal for Kentucky.
What’s Next
Kentucky now turns its attention to Southeastern Conference play, hosting Florida (3-1-3) at the Bell Soccer Complex on Thursday, September 19th, at 7:30 p.m.
