Exciting Showdown Ahead for Kentucky Women’s Soccer in NCAA Tournament
The excitement is palpable as the Kentucky Wildcats gear up for a thrilling matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament. The Wildcats head back to Starkville, Mississippi to battle it out on the field.
Wildcats Come Off a Nail-Biter
Heading into this next big game, the Wildcats are buzzing with confidence after their heart-stopping victory over West Virginia. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after 110 tough minutes of play, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout. After an initial goal from the Mountaineers, it only took three minutes for Maddie Kemp to strike back, scoring her fifth goal of the season and leveling the score.
With neither team able to score in overtime, the stage was set for the penalty shootout. The Wildcats stepped up to the spot and delivered flawlessly, going four for four in penalty kicks. Add to that the spectacular saves from goalkeeper Marz Josephson, and it was a night that fans won’t soon forget. This victory marked the Wildcats’ first NCAA tournament win in a decade, making it even more exhilarating!
Fighting Irish Bring Strong Offense
On the other side of the pitch, Notre Dame is coming off a commanding 5-1 victory against Milwaukee, showcasing a potent offense that features five different goal scorers. Leading the charge is freshman sensation Izzy Engle, who has made waves this season with an impressive 17 goals and a total of 35 points. Clearly, the Wildcats will have their work cut out for them as they prepare to face a team that is peaking at just the right time.
A Historic Meeting
It’s worth noting that this will be the second time these two teams meet, with the Wildcats currently at 0-1-0 against the Fighting Irish. Their previous clash took place where Notre Dame secured an overwhelming 9-0 victory over Kentucky. However, both teams will undoubtedly evolve as they step onto the field, meaning fans can expect a much closer contest this time around.
Kentucky’s Journey in the NCAA Tournament
The Wildcats are no strangers to the NCAA tournament, making their 12th overall appearance with a record of 3-10-3. This marks their fourth time reaching the second round, with their most recent successful run dating back to November 21st, 2014. That year, the Wildcats triumphed over Arizona State with a score of 3-1, making history as they advanced to the Sweet 16 for the very first time.
What’s Next?
The stakes are high, as the winner of Friday’s showdown will advance to the third round to face the winner between Mississippi State and Washington on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT.
