No. 20 Kentucky women’s soccer (8-1-1) suffered a 1-0 defeat to South Carolina this afternoon in Columbia in their Southeastern Conference matchup. Both teams registered eight shots, but Kentucky held a 4-2 edge in shots on target.
The Wildcats dominated the first half, outshooting the Gamecocks 6-3. Goalkeeper Alexis Tylenda made three key saves, including a looping effort from outside the 18-yard box in the 14th minute that forced South Carolina’s Christina Tsaousis into a backward save over the crossbar. Kentucky nearly took the lead when Grace Phillpotts sent a free kick into the box, but Michelle Moskau missed an open opportunity to capitalize at the back post.
South Carolina’s lone first-half chance came from a rebound shot that was safely gathered by Marz Josephson.
Kentucky continued to press in the second half, with Josephson making a crucial save in the 59th minute on a 1v1 counterattack against Katie Shea Collins. However, the match’s pivotal moment came in the 75th minute when a handball in the box by Sophia Mattice led to a South Carolina penalty. Collins converted from the spot, placing her shot in the top right corner to secure the 1-0 win for the Gamecocks.
Kentucky will return home to the Bell Soccer Complex on Thursday, September 26th, to face Georgia at 7:30 p.m.
