The Kentucky Wildcats’ postseason journey came to an agonizing end Thursday night, as a late surge from Saint Louis erased an early Kentucky lead and handed the Wildcats a 2-1, double-overtime defeat in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky caps the 2025 season with a 10-4-5 mark, reaching the 10-win threshold for the first time in three years and clinching a regular season Sun Belt crown along the way.
Kentucky wasted no time getting on the scoreboard at Hermann Stadium, striking inside five minutes when Agustin Lopez capitalized on a defensive mishap to notch his fourth goal of the campaign and hand the Wildcats a 1-0 cushion. Goalkeeper Sebastian Conlon rose to the occasion throughout the first half, producing a series of crucial stops — including a double save in the 11th minute and a sprawling denial late in the period — to preserve the lead going into the break.
The Wildcats appeared to double their advantage in the 32nd, as Max Miller’s finish found the net off a rebounded Lopez attempt, only for the effort to be scrubbed by an offside flag following a VAR check. Despite being outshot in the opening half, Kentucky maintained their edge on the scoreboard, and held firm deep into the second frame.
However, a game-changing moment arrived with just over seven minutes left, as Kentucky’s Kevin Larsson was shown red, forcing the Wildcats to close regulation and overtime a man down. Saint Louis quickly pounced, leveling the match in the 86th minute courtesy of a long-range strike from Jack DiMaria. Neither side could break through in the first extra period, but DiMaria was again the difference, burying the golden goal in the second overtime to send the Billikens through to the tournament’s next round and send Kentucky home in devastating fashion.
