LEXINGTON, Ky. With the Rebels still in the hunt for the SEC Western Division title entering Sunday’s match, Ole Miss lost a tough 2-0 decision at Kentucky as two Wildcat seniors scored on their Senior Day at the UK Soccer Complex.
Ole Miss needed a win (three points) or a tie (one point) to remain within striking distance of division leader LSU for the West crown. After Sunday’s outcomes, the Rebels drop to 6-7-5 overall and 3-4-3 in league play and remain four points behind LSU and three points behind Auburn in the West standings. Kentucky improved to 9-6-3 overall and 3-6-1 in SEC contests.
Senior Wildcat forward Callie Lanphier knocked in the only goal UK would need as she took an Alicia Browning pass from the left flank and flicked in a shot from six yards out at the 41:14 mark in the first half.
On a blustery day in Lexington, the wind was against the Rebels in a shaky first half that saw them lose the shots battle 6-3. The Rebels came out of the locker room at halftime more determined and more organized and with the wind in their favor had five shots to Kentucky’s three in the second period, while two shots required Wildcat saves. Ole Miss also racked up six corner kicks in the match, while holding Kentucky to three.
Another UK senior, Kate Rowlands, scored an insurance goal at the 57:15 mark. After a ball was skied in the air, it bounced off of Rebel goalkeeper Megan Vickery in a jumble of players and right to Rowlands, who knocked it back over Vickery’s head from about six yards out.
“Credit Kentucky they finished their chances when they had them,” head coach Steve Holeman said. “We came out flat in the first half and went down 1-0 at the half. In the second half, once Kentucky got their second goal they did a really good job of limiting our opportunities. They got numbers behind the ball, and whereas we had possession they limited our chances to score. We didn’t play a complete game and if you don’t play a complete game in the SEC you can’t expect to win. Now we have put ourselves in a position where we need to get it done on Friday.”
Junior midfielder Jennifer Hance led the Rebels’ offensive attack with three shots and one shot-on-goal as she logged all 90 minutes in the contest. Goalkeepers Ann Shelton and Vickery played one half apiece and each allowed a goal. Shelton recorded the only Rebel save of the game.
Ole Miss will host its own Senior Day in Friday’s regular season finale with the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and all fans 60 or older will receive free admission to the match.
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