MOREHEAD | Despite a shot differential that favored Kentucky, the Morehead State soccer team held its own on the road against the Wildcats, before succumbing to a 2-0 decision on Sunday night at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington.
It was the second of three road games to start the season for Morehead State (0-1-1). UK has played both of its regular-season contests at home.
The hosts scored once in the first half and then got the benefit of the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) which determined a penalty kick should be awarded, which enabled Kentucky (2-0-0) to get its final goal of the night.
MSU Paul Cox was pleased with his team's effort, but not with the VAR.
"I saw a lot of fight from my team; they are all in this together. This is a special group that is going to do great things," he said. "We ended the game with seven freshmen on the field and
Anna Lohrer put in a proper captain's performance! We are moving in such a positive direction.
"We had our first experience with video assistant refereeing tonight," he continued. "For me, it doesn't belong in the college game until they introduce a fifth official."
Kentucky took 13 shots in the first half and another 12 in the second. MSU only got off two shots, both in the final 45 minutes. UK also took all 10 corner kicks and was flagged five times for being offside. The hosts even had the benefit in foul calls, with MSU being whistled 12 times to the Wildcats' eight.
UK's Abigail Stager put her team on the board at 36:34 with an unassisted goal from the center of the field just inside the 18-yard box. Makala Woods scored on the penalty kick at the 52-minute mark. Woods also drew the penalty.
Kentucky had possession of the ball for two-thirds of the night. Morehead State was on its defensive side of the field for 78 percent of the contest.
Freshman
Claire Cress earned her first collegiate start in goal and recorded five saves. Junior defender
Gracen Houck was also credited with a defensive save. Marz Josephson played 58 minutes and 10 seconds in the Wildcat net, before yielding to Nikki Coryell, who finished the game. Neither player made any saves.
Ava Peck and
Mary Trudeau were credited with MSU's shots. Kentucky was led by Anna Sikorski, who finished with four.
Four yellow cards were awarded, one each to
Marinna Campos, Houck, Woods and coach Cox.
The Wildcats improved their all-time record against the Eagles to 4-0-1. All five games have taken place in Lexington.
Morehead State will return to the pitch on Thursday as it travels to face archrival Eastern Kentucky at 4 p.m. in Richmond. The Blue and Gold will hold its home opener on Sunday, Aug. 25, when it entertains Detroit Mercy. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
