LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - Kentucky (9-2-3) secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over West Virginia (10-3-2) on Sunday afternoon at the Kentucky Soccer Complex. Alex Ruiz's 72nd-minute goal proved the difference in a tightly contested match between two strong programs.
The decisive moment came in the 72nd minute when Alex Ruiz found the back of the net off an assist from Kevin Larsson, breaking the deadlock that had persisted for much of the match. The goal came during a period of sustained pressure from the Wildcats and ultimately proved to be the match-winner.
The first half saw both teams create promising opportunities. West Virginia's Ethan Dekel Daks struck the woodwork in the 3rd minute, followed immediately by a low shot from Constantinos Christou that missed the target. Kentucky's Isaiah Chisolm responded with a dangerous attempt in the 7th minute that sailed wide. The tactical battle intensified as the half progressed, with Kentucky's Kevin Larsson and Joaquín Brizuela drawing fouls that disrupted West Virginia's rhythm.
The second half brought increased intensity from both sides. Kentucky's Josh Gordon had a shot blocked in the 62nd minute, followed by Eric Onos's attempt that missed the mark. West Virginia's Felix Ewald tested the Kentucky defense with two blocked shots in the 77th and 83rd minutes, while Marcus Caldeira's attempt in the 86th minute sailed high. The Mountaineers pushed for an equalizer late, with Thijs Veldhorst's effort in the closing minutes failing to find the target.
Statistically, West Virginia held a slight advantage in several categories, outshooting Kentucky 9-7 overall, with three shots on target compared to Kentucky's two. The Mountaineers also earned five corner kicks to Kentucky's one, though they couldn't capitalize on these set-piece opportunities. The match's physical nature was evident in the cards shown, with Kentucky's Sinan Solmaz (42'), Kevin Larsson (74'), and Eric Onos (78') all receiving yellow cards.
Individual performances shaped the match significantly. Kentucky's Alex Ruiz proved decisive with his game-winning strike, while Kevin Larsson's creative influence was evident despite his yellow card. For West Virginia, Felix Ewald showed persistence with multiple shot attempts, and Thijs Veldhorst's late efforts demonstrated the Mountaineers' fighting spirit.
The tactical approach from both sides emphasized defensive organization, with Kentucky successfully limiting West Virginia's effectiveness from their numerous corner kicks. The Wildcats' disciplined defensive structure, despite receiving three yellow cards, effectively neutralized West Virginia's attack, particularly in crucial moments.
This victory extends Kentucky's winning streak to three matches, building on recent successes against South Carolina and Georgia Southern. For West Virginia, the loss marks their second defeat in three matches, interrupting their momentum following a victory over Old Dominion.
Looking ahead, both teams face quick turnarounds with matches scheduled for October 31. Kentucky will host Georgia State, aiming to extend their winning streak to four games, while West Virginia returns home to face Marshall, seeking to bounce back from this narrow defeat.