LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sophomore Kylie Thompson’s goal in the fourth minute was the difference maker, as the Eastern Kentucky University soccer team shut out Kentucky, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon at the Bell Soccer Complex.
It is the Colonels’ first-ever win over the Wildcats.
“Today is a proud day for our program,” head coach Nick Flohre said. “We always know playing Kentucky will be difficult, but our players have gained the confidence to compete with anyone. We’re thrilled for the girls to get our program’s first victory over the Wildcats and to continue our push through the season.”
Thompson – a native of Danville, Kentucky – scored on a beautiful play just four minutes in to give EKU (4-2-0) an early advantage. She took a combination of passes from sophomore Alyssa Julien and senior Idalys Rea, and fired it past UK goalkeeper Hannah Leonard to the far post for her first score of the season.
The Colonels did not play on their heels the rest of the game, but instead kept attacking. Freshman Baylee Lanter – a product of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington – attempted two shots on goal. Junior Marian Wolski hit the crossbar on an attempt.
The shots were fairly even on the day, with Kentucky (3-3-0) holding a narrow 16-13 advantage.
The Colonel defense stood tall all afternoon. Freshman goalkeeper Zoe Aguirre made six saves in the win, most of which came in a second-half barrage by the Wildcats. It is the second clean sheet of her young career.
Steady defenders Kacy Eckley and Katie Shaffer played all 90 minutes on the backline.
Monica Rios – a senior from Lexington – played all but five minutes and was a rock in the midfield for the Colonels all afternoon.
EKU had gone 0-6 against Kentucky all-time before Sunday’s win.
The Colonels stay on the road next weekend to face Gardner-Webb (Friday) and Louisville (Sunday).
