No. 23 Kentucky men’s soccer (2-0-1) battled to a 2-2 draw against Virginia Tech (3-0-1) in a Labor Day matchup at The Bell Soccer Complex. The Wildcats dedicated the match to raising awareness for pediatric cancer, in partnership with UK Children’s Hospital, the Lexington Ronald McDonald House, and the All In for Miller organization.
The Wildcats took the lead in the 27th minute when freshman Agustin Lopez scored his first official goal for Kentucky. Lopez’s right-footed free kick struck the crossbar before bouncing down into the net, giving UK a 1-0 advantage over the Hokies.
Nearly 10 minutes later, Kentucky extended their lead with another goal from a newcomer. Fifth-year senior Nick Zielonka, assisted by freshman Bertil Alban, sent the ball into the net after receiving a cross from the right side, marking his first goal as a Wildcat.
Virginia Tech responded before halftime, with senior Ethan Hackenberg scoring on a free kick in the 41st minute. Hackenberg’s shot found the bottom center of the net, cutting Kentucky’s lead to 2-1 at the break.
As the second half neared its conclusion, Virginia Tech capitalized on a late opportunity to equalize the match. In the 88th minute, freshman Ian Marcano scored with a shot into the top left corner of the net, bringing the final score to 2-2.
About All In for Miller:
All In for Miller is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children impacted by pediatric cancer, special needs, and medical requirements. Unlike other organizations, All In for Miller emphasizes building relationships with patients and their families, offering both financial support and emotional connection to those facing challenging medical journeys.
