Hello, and welcome to the Bluegrass Soccer Cast College Score Report for Men’s and Women’s soccer for the week of August 14th – August 20th. This is a weekly score recap for all NCAA Division 2 down to NCCAA D2 soccer programs, in the beautiful Commonwealth of Kentucky, matches from the previous week with any notable information we could find about the games. 

Please note that we here at Bluegrass Soccer Cast would love to cover all college programs in as much depth as possible, but we are currently 3 freelancers doing our best to bring you coverage for 54 programs across the commonwealth. 

Now, let’s see how the rest of the bluegrass fared in the opening week of the college soccer season.

NCAA D2

There are two colleges in Kentucky in Division 2 of the NCAA – Kentucky Wesleyan and Thomas Moore – but neither school saw their men’s or women’s teams kickoff their season yet.

Kentucky Wesleyan

Men:

The Panthers launch their 2023 campaign at home on Saturday, September 1st against in-state rival Berea College at 6 pm EST/5 pm CST

Women:

The Panthers will face the University of Montevallo at home to kick off their season on Thursday, August 31st at 7 pm EST/6 pm CST.

Thomas Moore

Men:

The Saints kickoff their season at home against Salem University on Thursday, August 31st at 7 pm EST/6 pm CST.

Women:

The Saints will travel down to Florida to play Nova Southeastern University to start their 2023 campaign on Friday, September 1st at 7 pm EST/6 pm CST.

NCAA D3

Kentucky has 5 schools competing in the 3rd Division of the NCAA – Asbury, Berea, Centre, Spalding, and Transyvania. Just like their D2 counterparts, none of the D3 schools have officially started their 2023 campaigns.

Asbury

The Eagles will kick off their season tonight against Kentucky Christian in a double header at home. The Women will kickoff at 4 pm EST/3 pm CST with the Men’s match following at 7 pm EST/6 pm CST.

Berea

Men:

The Mountaineers will kick off 2023 on the road against state rival Kentucky Wesleyan on Friday, September 1st at 7 pm EST/6 pm CST.

Women:

Also going on the road to start the season, the Mountaineers will face Franklin College on Friday, September 1st at 7 pm EST/6 pm CST.

Centre

Men:

The Colonels will kick off their season at the JR Hoe Invitational in Louisville against Hanover College on Friday, September 1st at 5:30 EST/4:30 CST.

Women:

Starting 2023 at home, the Colonels will face Mount St. Joseph on Friday, September 1st at 7 pm EST/6 pm CST.

Spalding

Men:

The Golden Eagles will face state rival Asbury at home in the JR Hoe Invitational on Friday, September 1st at 7:30 pm EST/6:30 pm CST.

Women:

Heading north into Indiana, the Golden Eagles will face Anderson on Saturday, September 2nd at 1 pm EST/12 pm CST.

Transylvania

Men:

The Pioneers will travel up to Columbus to face Capital University on Friday, September 1st at 7 pm EST/6 pm CST.

Women:

Heading south down to face Covenant College, the Pioneers will kick off their season on Friday, September 1st at 5:30 pm EST/4:30 pm CST.

NAIA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics or NAIA, has the largest number of Kentucky college programs competing within its ranks with a total of 20 programs across 10 schools. Unlike the lower NCAA teams, a handful of NAIA teams have kicked off their seasons.

Campbellsville

Men: 

Campbellsville Tigers dominated their season opener against UC-Clermont Cougars, winning 4-0 at Finley Stadium. The Tigers asserted control from the start, with Nathan Schmidli scoring the first goal after a cross from Mark Horn. Keenan Prince’s penalty kick was saved, despite their offensive dominance seen in 12 shots compared to the Cougars’ 2 by halftime. Tomas Rosa’s long-range shot secured the second goal, and penalties by Felix Baubeng and Malte Eckman sealed the 4-0 victory. The Tigers maintained a significant shot advantage, 13 to 1, and are set to play Shawnee State Bears next on August 26th.

Women: 

The 20th-ranked Lady Tigers commenced their season against the 17th-ranked SCAD Savannah Bees, losing 5-2 due to defensive errors despite an early goal. Angeline Kieh scored the opening goal from 26 yards out, displaying initial dominance by the Lady Tigers. However, SCAD turned the tide, exploiting defensive mistakes to score three goals in under two minutes. A free-kick strike and a breakaway attempt were deflected by Campbellsville’s Rirei Sasaki, but the Bees led 3-1 at halftime. SCAD’s Sydney Chura secured a hat trick in the second half, while Campbellsville’s Agatha Nimene found the net with a cross from Kieh. Despite improved possession, the Lady Tigers struggled to convert shots, leading to a final score of 5-2 in favor of SCAD. Campbellsville’s upcoming match against the Shawnee State Bears is scheduled for August 26th. 

Georgetown College

Men: 

Georgetown Tigers launched their 2023 men’s soccer season against Oakland City, securing a solid 3-1 victory in their opening match. Esteban Betancurt Cardona’s free kick found the net, followed by Diego Mora’s header off Cardona’s corner kick, granting the Tigers a 2-goal advantage within minutes. Alejandro Mena’s penalty kick just before halftime further extended their lead. While Oakland City managed a goal in the 82nd minute, Georgetown’s defense remained formidable, with Shjon Ripy making 6 saves in his first full-time start as goalkeeper. The Tigers’ next match is against Blue Mountain Christian (MS) on August 24th at Toyota Stadium.

Women:

The Lady Tigers haven’t started their season yet. They will start on Aug 16th vs UNIVERSITY OF CHARLESTON at Toyota Stadium, 7:00 PM EDT. 

Lindsey Wilson College

Men:

The Blue Raiders will start their season with a home opener VS Mount Vernon Nazarene on Aug 26th at 6pm CST, Walter S. Reuling Stadium. 

Women:

The Lady Blue Raiders will start their season with an away game VS Oklahoma Wesleyan on Aug 26th at 11am CST, Jackson, Tenn.

Midway University

Men:

Men’s Midway Eagles will kick off their season at Berea for an away match on Aug 25th at 7 PM EDT. 

Women:

For the Women side of the Midway Eagles, they will also kick off their season on Aug 25th for an away match at KY Christian at 6 PM EDT.  

Union College 

Men:

In their season opener, the Union Bulldogs secured an impressive 3-2 victory against Cumberlands, displaying resilience by overcoming two deficits. Union’s head coach, Jonathan Shaw, praised the team’s character for bouncing back from being behind twice. After trailing 1-0, Biel Vallverdu’s goal leveled the score, initiating an intense 11-minute period with four goals in total. The Patriots responded with a goal, but Union’s Callum Edwards quickly netted two goals in nine minutes, securing a 3-2 win. While pleased with the local rivalry win, Shaw emphasized the team’s need to continue progressing. Union’s record stands at 1-0, while Cumberlands is at 0-1. The Bulldogs will face Georgetown in their next home game on August 30th at 7:00 p.m.

Women:

On the other side of Union College, the Women’s Bulldogs will kick off their season with a home match on Sep 9th VS Brenau Georgia at 11 AM EDT.  

University of the Cumberlands

Men:

Despite initially taking the lead and maintaining offensive dominance for most of the match, the Cumberlands Patriots suffered a 3-2 defeat to Union in their season opener at the UC Soccer Complex. The Patriots began strongly with two early shots on goal, yet failed to convert, resulting in a scoreless start. Rodrigo Riveros assisted Jesus Macaya’s first career goal, giving the Patriots a 1-0 lead. However, the second half saw the Bulldogs challenging Cumberlands’ defense, resulting in their equalizer. Macaya’s second goal momentarily placed the Patriots ahead 2-1, but Union’s corner kick led to their second goal, leveling the score. In the 71st minute, Union capitalized on another corner kick, securing a 3-2 win. Cumberlands made late efforts, including a close header, but couldn’t avoid their first defeat. The Patriots will face (RV) Vanguard University on August 24 in Lima, OH.

Women:

The fourth-ranked UC women’s soccer team started their season with a 1-0 victory over #18 Truett McConnell as Jayden Boelter’s 21st-minute goal proved decisive at the UC Soccer Complex. Boelter’s goal marked her 52nd career goal and her first of the season, assisted by Rita Aguye Cots. Goalkeeper Laura Vogt secured the shutout win with three saves, while the defensive trio of Aguye Cots, Amy Anderson, and Camryn Broz limited the Bears to just five shots. The Patriots overcame three offsides calls early on, and Boelter’s well-placed shot into the lower right corner secured their lead. Both teams exchanged possession and shots, with UC’s defense holding firm, leading to the final 1-0 result. The Patriots will face tenth-ranked Central Methodist next on August 23 at 1 p.m.

University of Pikeville

Men:

For the Men’s Upike, they will start their season with a home opener VS IUPUC on Aug 26th at Bob Amos Complex, at 4 PM EST

Women:

In their 2023 season opener, UPIKE women’s soccer team demonstrated resilience despite a 4-1 loss to the No. 7 UT-Southern Firehawks. Junior goalkeeper Millie Conod faced early challenges from the Firehawks, managing to thwart their efforts. UPIKE’s Ellie Webb took the only shot on goal for the Bears in the first half but couldn’t score. UT-Southern’s Hikaru Uchida broke the deadlock with a goal in the 34th minute, and Kamilia Tayebi extended the Firehawks’ lead to 2-0 before halftime. The second half saw UT-Southern adding two more goals, while UPIKE’s Kylie Ritter found the net in the 75th minute after an assist from Lillie Kluesner. Despite the loss, Coach Logan Langseth and UPIKE captain Riley Collett commended the team’s effort and spirit, looking forward to future matches. The Bears, with a 0-1 record, will face the Rio Grande Red Storm in their home opener next Wednesday.

Kentucky Christian University

Men:

The Men’s KC Knights will kick off their AAC conference on Sep 5th VS CIU at 4:30 PM EDT. 

Women:   

The Women’s KC Knights will kick off their AAC conference on Sep 7th VS CIU at 4:30 PM EDT following another game VS Truett-Mcconnell on Sep 9th at 10 AM EST. 

Brescia University

Men:

The Men’s Bearcats was scheduled to play against Bellarmine University on Aug 14th but it was canceled which pushes them to play an away game at Georgia VS Dalton State on Aug 24th at 7:30 PM CST. 

Women:  

Unfortunately we couldn’t find information about their scrimmage against Wabash Valley College on Aug 19th. They will go back against Warner (FL) on Aug 26th at 11 AM CST.

NCCAA

The National Christian College Athletic Association has two schools competing within its two divisions for soccer – Campbellsville-Harrodsburg field both a Men’s and Women’s side in Division 1 with Boyce College fielding a Men’s team in Division 2.

Campbellsville University – Harrodsburg

Men:

The Men’s Pioneers will kick off against University of Cincinnati-Clermont on Aug 26th at 8 PM. 

Women:

The Women’s Pioneers will kick off against University of Cincinnati-Clermont on Aug 26th as well. 

NCCAA D2

Boyce College

Men:

Boyce Boys will kick off on Aug 22nd against IUPUC in an away match at 1 PM.