LEXINGTON, Ky. – One week of preparation later, Eastern Kentucky soccer (1-1-0) hits the road for the second time this season to face regional foe Kentucky (3-0-0) on Sunday, Aug. 28 for a 1:00 p.m. ET match at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
 
For fans making the short trip up I-75, admission to the Bell Soccer Complex is free. Sunday's match can also be streamed on SEC Network+ (subscription required). Keep up with the contest by tuning into Live Stats or by viewing Match Notes (PDF).
 
EKU has started the 2022 campaign with two one-goal decisions, first dropping a heartbreaker in the opener against Northern Illinois 1-2. The Colonels bounced back in the next match against Chattanooga, scoring a pair of goals in the first 20 minutes en route to a 2-1 victory.
 
Senior Myla Sharpless has been the highlight in the early season, scoring two goals in the first two matches. The Pittsburgh native has attempted five shots on the year, four of those on target, leading the team with a .800 percentage in shots on frame.
 
Lucy Ream, a sophomore D/F, notched the Colonels third goal of the season against UTC, hitting a ball from over 20 yards out that flew past the Mocs keeper (16'), earning the game-winning goal for the first time in her career.
 
Match 3: Eastern Kentucky (1-1-0, 0-0-0 ASUN) at Kentucky (3-0-0, 0-0-0 SEC)
- Sunday, August 28, 2022 – 1:00 p.m. ET
- Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex – Lexington, Ky. 
 
EKU Soccer Quick Facts
- EKU is seeking a 2-1 start for consecutive seasons, the last time the program hit that mark (Prior to last season) was over eight years ago.
- Lauren Seedlock has 10 saves through the first two matches, the highest total by an EKU keeper since 2019.
- Sharpless is the first Colonel since 2018 to net at least one goal in the opening two matches of the season.
- Maia Ransom, Celia Lopez, and Seedlock have all made their first appearances in the maroon and white after transferring from their previous institutions.
- Senior Katie Wall and junior Brooke Harden have also made their first collegiate appearance for EKU after being sidelined in previous seasons.
- Freshmen Emma Spivey, Kaitlyn Rowlett, Maddy Murphy, and Haley Greenwade made their first collegiate appearance against Northern Illinois and Chattanooga. 

All-time vs. Kentucky
- Sunday's match is the 10th all-time meeting between EKU and UK, the Wildcats own the series record 8-1.
- EKU claimed their first win over Kentucky during the 2018 season, defeating UK 1-0 on their home field.
- The Colonels victory in Lexington was the last time EKU played at the Bell Soccer Complex, since then, Kentucky has visited the EKU Soccer Complex twice and have prevented the Colonels from scoring.
 
Scouting the Wildcats
- Troy Fabiano is in his first season at the helm of the Wildcats, he previously coached at Milwaukee for seven seasons, ending his time in Wisconsin with a mark of 101-16-13 (.827).
- Kentucky is off to a 3-0-0 start, its best start since 2018. UK has defeated Ball State (3-0), UT Martin (4-1), and Purdue (2-1) so far this season.
- UK ranks top-20 in the country in scoring offense, currently tied for 18th with 3.00 goals per game.
- Through the first three matches, Hannah Richardson leads UK in shots (16), Ulfa Ulfarsdottir and Jordan Rhodes have etched two goals apiece, and five other players have netted one goal.
- Rhodes returns for UK after a decorated junior campaign, last year she led the Wildcats in goals (11), assists (5), points (27), shots (62), and SOG (29) and earned a spot on the All-SEC Second Team. 
– R-Freshman Tallulah Miller was named the starting keeper prior to the regular season, in the first three matches she's recorded three wins, faced six shots, allowed two goals, and recorded one shutout.
 
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