Georgia Plays to Draw Against Kentucky in Double Overtime

Thursday, October 24

Athens, Ga.

7:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

7-6-2, 3-3-1

Kentucky

6-8-2, 1-6-0

Kentucky

Georgia

Georgia Plays to Draw Against Kentucky in Double Overtime

October 24, 2019 | Soccer

Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. --- After falling one goal behind, the University of Georgia soccer team showed resilient effort to even the score resulting in a 1-1 double overtime draw against the Kentucky Wildcats at the Turner Soccer Complex on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs (7-6-3, 3-3-2 SEC) and Wildcats (6-8-3, 1-6-1 SEC) were scoreless after 45 minutes, but Kentucky was able to strike first when sophomore goalkeeper Emory Wegener attempted to clear the ball out of the box and it ended up being blocked by UK's Jordyn Rhodes. Rhodes tapped the ball over the goal line to take the lead at the 51-minute mark.

Ten minutes later a free kick opportunity at nearly midfield had junior Kayla Bruster sail the ball into the box. Junior Mollie Belisle was there attempting the header for the finish, but the Bulldogs scored on an own goal by Kentucky.

"This team's always had a lot of effort in the way that they play," Georgia head coach Billy Lesesne said. "It was unfortunate that we didn't get on the front foot and score that first goal. But, it happens. We went down a goal and you saw the resolve of our team. They worked really hard and they wanted to pick Emory [Wegener] up and they certainly did that. I thought late in the game, and a couple in overtime, we had really good opportunities to put that game away. Again, as a team we're frustrated with the result. As a coaching staff, and I think if our players look at it, their fight and their resolve was really at a high level today."

The Bulldogs maintained momentum during overtime. At the 102-minute mark freshman Chloe Chapman had the best chance for the win after drawing the UK goalkeeper out the net, but defenders were there to stop her. Belisle tried to help and passed the ball to junior Landon Lambert who booted the ball outside the net.

Wegener made one last incredible save in the final minute of the game to secure the tie for Georgia. She finished with three saves on the night.

The Bulldogs are in the final stretch of the regular season with two games remaining. Georgia heads to to Fayetteville, Arkansas to face the sixth-ranked Razorbacks on Sunday, October 27 at 2 p.m., before the home finale Thursday, October 31 against the Florida Gators at 7 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex.

Georgia has now earned 11 conference points. The top tens teams with the highest conference point total will participate in the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama. The tournament will run from Sunday, November 3 through Sunday, November 10 with games being played in a Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday- Sunday format.

HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA SOCCER: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.