UK and UofL both bring undefeated records to Battle of the Bluegrass

Junior+Andrew+Mckelvey+passes+the+ball+along+the+end+line+during+the+game+against+Creighton+on+Sunday%2C+November+20%2C+2016+in+Lexington%2C+Ky.+Kentucky+lost+the+match+3-2.+Photo+by+Carter+Gossett+%7C+Staff

Junior Andrew Mckelvey passes the ball along the end line during the game against Creighton on Sunday, November 20, 2016 in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky lost the match 3-2. Photo by Carter Gossett | Staff

Mohammad Ahmad

After playing two road games in Tennessee against the Eastern Tennessee State Pirates and the Memphis Tigers, the UK men’s soccer team is coming back home to Kentucky.

However, they will be going to Lynn Stadium in Louisville to face their in-state rival Cardinals on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Despite Kentucky having an impressive 3-0 record and being a dominant team in C-USA, Louisville presents a beast of its own.

The Cardinals are likewise holding a 3-0 record. However, they are not just 3-0, but they are ranked 10th in the nation. Of their three wins, the most impressive win comes against the No. 25 ranked Butler Bulldogs last Monday.

Defensively, the Cardinals have held their opponents to a standstill. Goalkeeper Jake Gelnovatch has only allowed one goal, and he has five saves with a 83.3 percent save percentage. The team has also outshot their opponents 31-15, and has outkicked corner kicks 20-4.

Senior midfielder Tim Kubel and junior midfielder Adrien Cabon leads the team with goals as each have two. Kentucky defenders Kevin Barajas and Tanner Hummel will have to find a way to stop the offensive-juggernaut led by the two Louisville midfielders.

Offensively, Kentucky boasts several scoring aces of their own with senior Andrew McKelvey and junior Stefan Stojkovic. McKelvey has two goals this year, with one of them being a game winner against Marquette in overtime.

Stojkovic was the Wildcats savior against Eastern Tennessee State with two goals, one of them being the game winner in double overtime.

Kentucky goalkeeper Enrique Facusse has also been an integral part to the Cats’ success. He has only allowed one goal while recording 11 saves, six of them against Marquette in the home opener. He’ll look to stop the tenacious Louisville offense from making any kind of magic.

Both teams present a balance of confidence, acute playmaking and assertiveness. The Cats will look to set a mark and enforce it against their in-state rivals. Since 2010, Kentucky is 2-3 against the Cardinals, so this game could allow Kentucky to even up that record and boast bragging rights.