By Brady Trapnell

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UK women’s soccer is set to take on Southeastern Conference foe Missouri at 7:30 p.m. Friday, coming off a big 4-1 victory against Butler on Sunday. The Cats are off to a hot start this season and sit on top of the SEC standings.

UK

8-1-1

Ranking: 23

Goals scored: 24

Goals allowed: 5

Average shots/game: 13.9

Shot percentage: .173

The Cats will be on upset alert Friday night against a Missouri team that has already knocked off No. 9 Auburn earlier this season. Coming off two straight wins against Alabama and Butler over the weekend, UK is on a roll. But after five days of rest, head coach Jon Lipsitz will have to make sure his team doesn’t come out flat against the Tigers.

Defense will be key for the Cats. Freshman goalkeeper Katelyn Jensen will need to have a strong performance against the SEC’s second leading team in shots on goal. UK’s backline will prove to be important to try to relieve pressure on Jensen.

Players to watch: Zoe Swift, Michaela Dooley

The duo of Swift and Dooley has been a potent offensive attack for the Cats, combining for eight goals and five assists this season. Dooley has scored four goals of her five shots on goal, while Swift leads the team in shots on goal with 32, constantly putting pressure on the opposing goalies. This lethal combination of accuracy and pressure has helped propel the Cats to an 8-1-1 record, and will prove to be vital against Missouri’s strong defense Friday night.

Mizzou

3-3-3

Ranking: n/a

Goals scored: 8

Goals allowed: 7

Average shots/game: 19.8

Shot percentage: .045

Coming off back-to-back 1-0 losses, the Tigers will be looking to rebound and steal a huge win against another ranked opponent. The Missouri offense, which has struggled to score lately, needs to step up with sophomore Savannah Trujillo and senior leader in shots on goal, Reagan Russell. The key to victory for the Tigers will be staying strong defensively against a great UK attack.

Player to watch: Savannah Trujillo

The sophomore midfielder and leading goal scorer for the Tigers will need to use her speed to put pressure on the stout UK defense. Trujillo averages 1.44 shots per game. Her presence helped the Tigers upset No. 9 Auburn earlier this season by scoring a crucial goal, so look for her to possibly make her presence felt again versus the Cats.