Box Score

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Freshman Ryan Stallings found the back of the net in the 79^th minute, tying the match, 2-2, but the hosting No. 21 University of Kentucky Wildcats responded with just over five minutes remaining in regulation to top the University of Evansville men’s soccer team, 3-2, Friday night. The loss snaps the Purple Aces’ three-game winning streak, as they fall to 4-3-0 on the season, while UK improves to 6-3-1.

“We lost a heartbreaker,” said head coach Mike Jacobs. “They are worthy of their national ranking and are a tough team to play home or away; an even more daunting task away.”

“They have a veteran team that found a way to get a result,” added Jacobs. “And we are hoping to continue to grow into that kind of team ourselves.”

Evansville set the tone for the night, breaking onto the scoreboard just 33 seconds into the match. Senior Tad Kreamalmeyer chipped the ball over goalkeeper Tyler Beadle’s head on a pass from junior Jesse Sharp.

However, the Wildcats evened the score in the 38^th minute on Josh Mulvaney’s goal from a lying position. UK scored again at the 68:00 minute mark when Matt Lodge recorded his seventh goal of the season on a cross from Marco Bordon.

While the Aces could have easily given in to the nationally ranked squad, Evansville rallied and tied the match up on Stallings’ fifth goal of the year on a pass from freshman Dylan Terry. Sophomore Alex Kapsalis also tallied an assist.

Unfortunately, the Wildcats’ Sam Brooks put away a free kick as a result of a yellow card with 5:27 left in regulation. The ball bounced around in the box before getting past UE goalkeeper freshman Eric Teppen.

Teppen had another solid performance in net, recording nine saves in the contest.

Stallings led the Aces with four shots, followed by Kreamalmeyer, Sharp, and freshman Patrick Hodges’ two, as UE was outshot 15-11 and 12-4 on goal.

Up next, Evansville heads to Nashville to face Belmont University Sunday at 1:00 p.m. CT.