The No. 3 ranked UK men’s soccer team is now on a four-game win streak following a win on Wednesday night. UK defeated the University of Evansville Purple Aces, 4-0, at The Bell to remain undefeated at home this season.

This win marks UK’s fourth win in a row over Evansville. The Cats have also now won five consecutive non-conference matchups since drawing against Xavier on Sept. 11.

UK got the pot stirring in the 26th minute. J.J. Williams tried to cut from the left toward the inner box. Williams was brought down, however, as he tried to pivot to his right. A penalty kick was set in place for the Cats.

Rather than have Aimé Mabika handle the kick, the Cats wanted to pass the opportunity over to their veteran leader.

Senior captain Tanner Hummel went in for the kick instead. Hummel stepped up and delivered the goal for his first-ever goal as a Wildcat. According to Hummel, his teammates predicted that he would score.

“Before the game, J.J. [Williams] and Aimé [Mabika] told me, ‘You’re going to get your opportunity to score’,” Hummel said. “We all work for each other as a team.”

UK’s momentum picked back up following halftime. Hummel stepped up once more in the 52^nd minute when he served the ball from the right wing to Williams. Williams headed the wide service ball in for his 13^th goal this season.

He maintains his position as the leading C-USA scorer and has scored more goals this season than he had in his first two seasons as a Wildcat combined. Three more goals would tie him with Greg Kotzbauer for the most goals scored in a season by a Wildcat.

“I would consider myself as one of the best forwards in C-USA for sure, but I’m blessed that God gave me the opportunities he’s given me here at Kentucky,” Williams said.

Jason Reyes established a freshman-to-freshman connection in the 61^st minute. He swung a long pass over to Nicolai Fremstad. Fremstad capitalized and beat the keeper from the far post to score.

More freshmen joined the scoring party in the 87^th minute. Clay Holstad received a give-and-go pass from Marcel Meinzer and Brock Lindow from the top of the box. Holstad had a far-post finish to give his second game in a row with a goal. 

UK’s outshot Evansville by a staggering 20-5 difference. A 20-shot total is UK’s second-highest total in a game this season. The Cats continue to boast the highest goals scored total among all C-USA teams with 35 scores.

Cats’ goalkeeper Enrique Facusse and his fellow back four defenders preserved their 11^th clean sheet in 15 games, limiting the Purple Aces to two shots on goal in the process.

Now 13-1-1 (5-1 C-USA) this season, the Cats have won the most games in a season coached by Cedergen.

The Cats will play their final road game of the regular season this Sunday, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m. against Florida Atlantic University.