Sophomore midfielder Molly Whitacre summed up Sunday’s match when her throw-in slipped out of her hands, rolled two yards to the feet of a Kentucky player, leading to the Wildcats’ third and final goal.
All told, a dreary day in Lexington was the perfect setting for Ohio’s 3-0 defeat, which easily could’ve been worse had it not been for senior goalkeeper Nicole Amari’s 13 saves.
“She’s been great,” coach Aaron Rodgers said. “She kept us in the game again and made some phenomenal saves today. She’s having a fantastic season and I couldn’t be happier for her.”
Kentucky dominated throughout the game, forcing the Bobcats to dig into the trenches around their own 18-yard box, trying to clear one-after-another Wildcat assault.
The home side produced 30 shots, 16 of which were on frame, while Ohio finished the match with only two attempts.
Other than a handful of appearances onto the Wildcats side of the field, the Bobcats found themselves defending from their own turf the majority of the match, preventing Ohio from producing any offensive opportunities.
Heading into the match, Rodgers knew this matchup would be a big challenge, but wanted his side to play competition level to his expectations for Ohio’s program in the future.
“I talked to the girls after the game and told them playing tough competition early was by design,” Rodgers said. “The easiest way for us to get to the NCAA tournament and our goal to win our conference is playing under pressure and this is the best way to do it.”
The first two goals Ohio allowed came from Amari unable to handle the slick ball and leaving the ball free and ready for unmarked Wildcats to pounce.
The first came 14 minutes in when sophomore forward Jade Klump was able to bury Kentucky’s third attempted effort from rebounds into the net, after point blank saves from Amari.
The Wildcats capitalized on another rebound in the 71st minute, when junior midfielder Courtney Raetzman calmed guided the ball in for the Wildcats second goal on the afternoon.
Prior to kickoff, Ohio took part in Kentucky’s dedication of their brand-new soccer complex. The opening ceremonies then lead to the match, which was live streamed by SEC Network Plus.
This was Rodgers’ first trip back to Lexington since he left to coach the Bobcats last season. Rodgers was an assistant for the Wildcats between 2009-2012.
“It’s good to see how the Kentucky team has developed, as well as seeing old coaches and administrators,” Rodgers said. “I had four great years there.”
@charliehatch_
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