Kentucky Men's Soccer Loses to Old Dominion, Drops 5th Match of Season

The losses keep on rolling in for the Wildcats.

Kentucky Men’s Soccer traveled to Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday night to go up against Old Dominion University. The Wildcats came in trying to break a two-game losing streak but failed to pick up any momentum throughout the match. In the end, the Big Blue’s of Old Dominion took advantage of its opportunity in the second half to get a 1-0 win over the ‘Cats.

Significant lineup change

There was a major lineup change for UK on Tuesday as sophomore Ryan Jacks stepped into goal for the Wildcats’ star goalie, sophomore Casper Mols, the Reigning Sun Belt Conference Goalkeeper of the Year. There has been no clear word on what is going on with Mols, who has allowed 11 goals so far in 2023 after 12 all of last season, but Jacks came in and did his best for the most part up until Old Dominion’s second-half goal.

Here we go, Cats! 😼👏

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📺 https://t.co/fuiE4rJbGh#WeAreUK | #GBED pic.twitter.com/YGtNXArJmG

— Kentucky Men’s Soccer (@UKMensSoccer) September 24, 2023

The first half was fairly uneventful for both squads. Neither team could find their groove on the pitch, and it was nil-nil into the 25th minute.

Although Kentucky led the way in shot attempts in the first 45, they were still coming up short when it came to finding the back of the net. By the end of the first half, the score remained 0-0. The ‘Cats led 4-2 in shot attempts and also in corners with 5-1, but nothing was working for either team.

Come on, Cats

At the start of the second half, UK seemed to have some more urgency but they still could not seem to find a goal. Jacks had one save in the first half, but was not as lucky in the 52′ as Old Dominion found the back of the net off of a penalty to take a 1-0 lead.

53' | Goal Old Dominion.

😼: 0
🦁: 1

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📺 https://t.co/fuiE4rJbGh#WeAreUK | #GBED

— Kentucky Men’s Soccer (@UKMensSoccer) September 24, 2023

Following Old Dominion’s score, the ‘Cats did not get a shot off or attempt a corner until 72’. When they finally did, they had no luck after the Big Blue’s were able to kick the attempt back out to give the ‘Cats another corner attempt that also failed.

A lack of momentum and poor play on both ends of the pitch led to Kentucky’s fifth loss of the season so far. After the second half, UK still led Old Dominion in corner attempts at 5-0, but careless plays and a penalty kick from the Big Blue’s defeated the ‘Cats 1-0.

The Wildcats sit at 3-5-0 on the season thus far, and their latest loss to Old Dominion puts them at 0-2 in Sun Belt Conference play. Coming up, Kentucky will face off against another Sun Belt Conference foe, the University of Central Florida back at The Bell in Lexington, on Friday, September 29 at 5 p.m.