Georgia Set for Road Match at Kentucky

Sunday, October 11

Lexington, KY

12:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

Kentucky

October 09, 2020 | Soccer

ATHENS, Ga. --- The No. 8 University of Georgia soccer team looks to continue its success on the road at win-less Kentucky this weekend.  The Bulldogs and Wildcats are set to face off on Sunday, October 11 at 12 p.m. from Wendell & Vickie Bell Stadium. The game will be streamed on the SEC Network +.

BEST-EVER START TO SEC PLAY
With a 2-0-1 record to start the 2020 season, the Georgia Bulldogs are off to the program's best-ever start in SEC play.  Additionally, it's the best overall start the Bulldogs have had since 2009, when UGA went 7-0-1 in nonconference play.

LAST SEASON AGAINST KENTUCKY
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.

The Bulldogs and Wildcats 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.

LAST TIME OUT-- vs. Tennessee
The No. 8 University of Georgia soccer team defeated Tennessee, 1-0, on Friday night to jump to the program's best-ever start in Southeastern Conference play with a 2-0-1 record on the season.

For the second time this season, it was a goal by junior midfielder Abby Boyan that was the difference in the game.  The Spring Lake, New Jersey native put Georgia on the board in the 29th minute, advancing on a clearance on the top of the 18-yard-box. It was a quick two-touch hit that landed in the back of the net.

The defense was a key component for the Bulldogs. Once again, junior Cecily Stoute and senior Kayla Bruster kept the backline at full strength, keeping the Volunteers to only five shots. Junior Emory Wegener notched her second shutout of the season and 12th of her career, accumulating three saves.

ABBY BOYAN GETS RECOGNITION
Junior midfielder Abby Boyan received conference and national recognition after scoring the lone-goal in Georgia's win over South Carolina to open the season.

Boyan was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in her career and earned a spot on the Top Drawer Team of the Week. She is the first Georgia player given a national weekly recognition since goalkeeper Louise Hogrell in 2015.

The Spring Lake, N.J. native played a full 90 minutes and contributed the game-winner for a season-opening victory for the Bulldogs. This marks the first time Georgia has beaten South Carolina since 2014. Additionally, she took three shots, which tied for the most in the game of any player.

She was placed on the Top Drawer Team of the Week again after making the difference in the game against Tennessee.  She put Georgia on the board in the 29th minute, advancing on a clearance on the top of the 18-yard-box. It was a quick two-touch hit that landed in the back of the net, resulting in a Dawgs win.

RANKED IN THE UNITED COACHES POLL
Georgia is ranked eighth in the initial United Soccer Coaches national rankings. This is the first time the Bulldogs have been ranked since 2014, when the team reached a No. 20 ranking in late September.

Georgia is the second Southeastern Conference team on the list, behind Texas A&M who checked in at No. 5.

Due to the impact of the pandemic on fall schedules, only teams competing in the fall were considered for the polls. The number of teams appearing in each ranking is also lower due to the lower number of teams competing. The women's poll features a Top 15. There are no regional rankings.

Georgia has remained in the 8th spot thus far this season.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE DAWGS
"The most talented team in top to bottom roster depth that Georgia's had since Billy's been here." - SEC Network's Michael Watts during the broadcast of the South Carolina game.

A SEASONED VET
Junior goalkeeper Emory Wegener has started more games than any other active goalkeeper in the SEC.

*Check out the feature on georgiadogs.com for more about Emory and the Georgia defense

PLAYER GUESTS ONLY AT THE TURNER SOCCER COMPLEX
Due to COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines, no fans will be permitted to UGA soccer games this fall.  Guests will be permitted through a "Player Pass List" only.