Kentucky (7-2-0, 1-0-0 SEC) kicked off Southeastern Conference action in high style, defeating previously unbeaten and No. 20 Oklahoma (7-1-1, 0-1-0 SEC) by a final score of 2-1 in front of a season high crowd at the Bell Soccer Complex.
Anna Sikorski and Tanner Strickland each scored a goal for the Cats in the team’s first win over ranked opposition this season, pushing Kentucky to a 2-0 advantage that Oklahoma could only trim in half.
The win marks the third consecutive season in the Troy Fabiano era in which the Wildcats have earned a ranked victory at home after defeating No. 9 Alabama in 2023 and No. 9 UCLA in 2024. The victory was also the first win in a SEC opener for Kentucky under Fabiano and the first for the program since 2015.
After both teams got their feet under them to start the match, Kentucky forced the first real chance of the game with a heroic effort by Sophie Harlan to keep the ball inbounds ultimately leading to a Strickland shot on goal in the 22nd minute. Catherine Rapp would also add a shot on goal in the 35th minute that was ultimately saved by Sooner keeper Caroline Duffy.
With the half seeming on course for a 0-0 standstill, a Sikorski cross deflected off a Sooner defender’s arm, leading to a penalty kick for Kentucky. Sikorski stepped to the spot and converted with her left foot off the left post to giver her team the advantage. The Muskego, Wisconsin native is now three-for-three on penalties this season and owns a share of the team lead with six goals.
Out of the break, the Wildcats kept the pressure on, doubling their advantage in the 52nd minute. A Skye Leach pass to Rapp created a transition opportunity for the Wildcats, with the latter distributing a perfect ball to a charging Strickland. The junior from Tampa, Florida controlled the ball and finished through the legs of Duffy to score her second goal of the season and first SEC goal of her career. On the play, Rapp picked up her fifth assist of the season, matching Strickland for the team lead.
Kentucky would continue to dominate the game, eventually outshooting Oklahoma 9-5 and controlling 62 percent of possession. After the Wildcats took the 2-0 lead, freshman Khadijah Cissé saw her first action of the match, notching a pair of saves to preserve the scoreline. The Montreal native earned the victory in her first career SEC start.
With the Sooners desperate to get back in the match, a Kayla Keefer cross found the foot of Juliette Rayo in the 83rd minute, with the visitor blasting the ball into the net to push the score to 2-1 in favor of Kentucky. However, the home squad held firm and controlled the ball through the final minutes to preserve the victory.
Kentucky will contest its first two-match SEC weekend next week, traveling to No. 24 Georgia on Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m. ET for its first road match of the year and third straight contest against ranked opposition. Admission to all 2025 Kentucky Soccer regular season home matches will be free to the public.
Courtesy: UK Athletics
