SportsCenter Top 10? Oliver Stavdal scores ridiculous goal in Kentucky's season-opening win

Kentucky men’s soccer opened its 2024 season on Thursday night with a thrilling 3-2 win at home over Oral Roberts, but it was the fifth and final goal of the match that stood out above the rest.

Freshman midfielder Oliver Stavdal fired an absolute rocket into the back of the net during the 79th minute from well outside the box. Stavdal received a pass from fellow freshman Bertil Alban, took one touch with his left foot, and let a forceful long ball fly from his right foot that was buried into the top left corner of the goal. His score broke a 2-2 tie (Oral Roberts scored its second goal the minute prior) and was ultimately the game-winner for Kentucky.

Kentucky men’s soccer was pushing on social media for Stavdal’s goal as a SportsCenter Top 10 nominee, and they certainly had a case with this terrific goal.

Hey, @SportsCenter … we really think you should see this!! 👀👀👀

😼: 3
🦅: 2

📺 https://t.co/4eR4HBNFKV
📊 https://t.co/02viHDIeex#WeAreUK | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/8ZUXtcOweE

— Kentucky Men’s Soccer (@UKMensSoccer) August 23, 2024

After a string of incredibly successful seasons under head coach Johan Cedergren, now in his 13th season, Kentucky is looking to continue that impressive run in 2024.

While the Wildcats aren’t currently considered to be in the top tier of national programs like they were the last two seasons, they still began the season just outside of the Top 25 (No. 27, to be exact) and were picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt Conference with a pair of Preseason All-Sun Belt selections in sophomore forward Isiah Chisolm and junior goalkeeper Casper Mols.

A 3-2 win over Oral Roberts at The Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington was a good start. Along with Stavdal’s game-winning goal, Chisolm and senior forward Logan Dorsey added Kentucky’s other two goals. The Wildcats return to action on Monday, Sept. 2 to host Virginia Tech at 7:30 p.m. EST.