By: Katherine Stach

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The UK women’s soccer team will take on No. 16 Auburn Tigers at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 at Auburn. After losing to Texas A&M 1-0 on Friday, the Cats are looking for a turn around victory after suffering from a skid. 

UK

Record: 9-4-3

Rank: n/a

Goals scored: 28 

Goals allowed: 14

Shots per game: 13

Shots on goal per game: 5.4

UK has seemed to have hit a wall, with only two ties and two losses being the only thing to show for their record in October. To get the team’s first victory of the month, changes will need to be made on both sides of the ball.

The offense is where the real worries are for this team. In the month of October, the Cats have only been able to score one goal. This lack of production puts a lot of pressure on a defense that has been very inconsistent recently. The Cats has only allowed one goal between two double overtime games against Florida and Vanderbilt, but gave up three goals to Mississippi State. If the team can come out with the same focus it displayed in the double overtime games, then Auburn will have great difficulty trying to score on the Cats.

Player to watch: Katelyn Jensen

The UK goalkeeper has been quick with her hands all season long, especially in the month of October. In UK’s double overtime game against Florida that ended in a tie, she had 14 saves total on 27 Florida shots. The 14 saves completed by Jensen were the most saves in a single game for a UK goalkeeper since the year of 1998. Jensen also made three impressive diving saves in the first half of the Florida game. If UK is going to snap its losing streak, Jensen’s great play in the back will be a key factor.

Auburn

Record: 12-3-0

Rank: 16

Goals scored: 27

Goals allowed: 13

Shots per game: 16

Shots on goal per game: 5.9

Although the statistics in goals scored and goals allowed are extremely similar for both teams, the Tigers have cinched two more conference wins and two more overall wins than UK. However, the Tigers have suffered two losses in the month of October, and the team desperately needs to take pressure off their defense in order to make some big offensive plays. The team’s defense will most likely be the biggest challenge for UK, and the Cats will have to make clinical runs to break through their defensive barrier. 

Player to watch: Casie Ramsier

The powerful forward from Dallas holds the team’s season record for most goals scored, with a count of 10 goals total. Ramsier scored the team’s two goals against Texas A&M, and she won’t be slowing down anytime soon. The junior has a reputation for being extremely strong in her movement, and is constantly putting herself in goal-scoring positions.