Pair of Early Goals Power Kentucky Women’s Soccer Past Purdue
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky women’s soccer remained perfect on the 2022 season, picking up a 2-1 victory over Purdue on Thursday evening at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex .The win was the first for the Wildcats against a power-five opponent in non-conference play since Sept. 2, 2016 when UK beat Louisville, 3-1. It also marks the first 3-0-0 start for the program since 2018.A pair of goals in the first 14 minutes of play got Kentucky in front early. Hailey Farrington-Bentil started the scoring in the third minute, settling a cross from Hannah Richardson on the right side of the box and finishing past the keeper into the bottom left corner. The goal was the graduate-transfer’s first in a Kentucky uniform and marked Richardson’s second assist of the season. Senior forward Jordyn Rhodes soon extended the Wildcats’ advantage, notching her second goal of the year in the 14th minute with a perfectly-placed strike from more than 20 yards out into the left netting. Rhodes, who is third on the UK all-time scoring list, now has 32 goals in her collegiate career.
Lady Toppers Suffer 2-0 Loss at Vanderbilt
WKU Soccer dropped a 2-0 decision to Vanderbilt on Thursday night in Nashville. A scoreless match through the first 50 minutes, the Commodores scored two second half goals to clinch the win. The first half was a gridlock defensive battle between the two teams. WKU held off seven shots from the Vanderbilt attack and stopped countless scoring threats to keep the game 0-0 going into halftime. Vanderbilt struck first in the 51st minute and then scored again just over four minutes later. WKU got off five total shots in the match. The Lady Toppers will be back in action on Sunday at Tennessee Tech. First touch will be at 6 p.m.
Bodker Strikes Late Goal As Racers Fall to Samford
Sophomore center back Morgan Bodker was able to net a late goal as Murray State (0-3) fell 4-1 to Samford on Thursday in Birmingham, Alabama. The goal is Bodker’s first this season and third of her career. MSU was able to put up 11 shots in the contest, the most shots they have had in a game this season. Nine of the 11 shots were on goal with standout midfielder Hailey Cole leading the team with four shots total and three on goal while also earning an assist on Bodker’s late strike. Seniors Lauren Payne and Saraya Young were able to put up two shots each, all of which were on target. The Racers were able to put more shots on goal (9) than the Bulldogs (5) but were unable to finish on the chances. Murray State now heads to Cincinnati for a Sunday afternoon matchup with the Bearcats.