UK women’s soccer is coming off two wins against EKU and Wyoming last weekend at The Bell, evening their record to 2-2. The Cats are now looking ahead to a big game on Friday night against in-state rival, Louisville.

Louisville is 3-1 on the season, with their only loss coming from a 2-0 home loss against Marquette on Sunday. The Cats also lost to Marquette a few short weeks ago.

The in-state rival aspect between UK and UofL is present in every single sport within both programs. The tension will be high at The Bell Friday night as the Cats look to get a big non-conference win against the Cardinals during UK Alumna weekend.

It’s no secret that the Battle of the Bluegrass in women’s soccer is owned by the Cats, as UK has beaten UofL the past six times these two teams have met. UofL hasn’t beaten UK since 2010. The last time these two teams met at The Bell, the Cats beat the Cardinals 1-0.

UK’s senior forward Tanya Samarzich is red-hot right now. She is coming off of three scored goals last weekend and she is going to be a huge threat to Louisville’s redshirt freshman goalkeeper Gabby Kouzelo.

Kouzelo has been UofL’s “go-to gal” on the defensive side, as she has only allowed four goals so far this season.

On the offensive side, the Cardinals are led by freshman midfielder Emina Ekic. Ekic is leading the team early this season in goals with two.

The Cardinals often get out to a fast start, as they have outscored their opponents 4-0 during the first half of all their games. Overall, UofL has outscored their opponents 7-4.

Sophomore goalkeeper Evangeline Soucie has been solid in the past four games for the Cats. Soucie has only allowed five goals and has 21 saves so far this season.

The Cats will need Soucie to continue to hold strong against UofL’s offense if UK hopes to pull off their seventh victory in-a-row over the Cardinals.

Friday’s game technically isn’t Ian Carry’s first match up with Louisville, but this is his first match up with Louisville since becoming UK’s head coach.

Game time for the Battle of the Bluegrass is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at The Bell. The soccer team is asking all students and faculty to “Pack The Bell” for what should be another exciting in-state rivalry game.