LEXINGTON, Ky. – The FGCU men's soccer team (0-1-0) dropped a 3-0 decision against 2022 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 team and No. 3 University of Kentucky (1-0-0) Thursday at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.

Overall, the Wildcats outshot the Eagles, 15-9, with six shots on goal to FGCU's four. The Green & Blue's keeper Wyatt Kistner allowed three goals and had three saves for the evening. 

"Disappointed in the result, but actually liked elements of the performance," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "We played a good first part of the first and the penalty was unfortunate and against the run of play."

"But, after that, we made some critical defensive mistakes and weren't definitive in the box with our chance conversions. When you play one of the best teams in the country on their home field, that is a recipe for a loss. We will learn from this experience, and it will make us a better team in the end."
  
FGCU's Niall Reid-Stephen wasted no time, firing a shot on goal within the first 39 seconds of the match that was saved by UK's goalkeeper Casper Mols.

Each side registered one shot on goal within the next 30 minutes. The Eagles' attempt came from Alon Drey in the 26th minute but was saved. Exactly four minutes later, Kentucky capitalized and scored to take the 1-0 lead off a penalty kick due to a foul within the penalty area.

With just one minute left before the half, Logan Dorsey gave Kentucky its second goal of the night at the 44:05 mark. 

In the second half, defense ruled for the first 15 minutes before Finn Ballard McBride sent the ball to the bottom right side of the net for a 3-0 Wildcat advantage in the 60th minute.

The Eagles disadvantage worsened as Jonathan Bryant was ejected after picking up his second yellow card at 67:07. He received the first one at 40:15. The final shot of the game for the Green & Blue came from Jahvanie Hammond in the 73rd minute but did not connect and the Wildcats sealed the victory.


FGCU will remain on the road heading to Northern Kentucky (0-0-1) on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at the NKU Soccer Stadium.