LEXINGTON, Ky. – Facing possible elimination, the No. 1 University of Kentucky men’s soccer team scored two goals in the second half to complete its comeback, defeat eighth-seeded South Carolina and advance to the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals. The match was played in front of 1,499 fans at UK’s Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington, Kentucky.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 17’ The Gamecocks were the first on the board with a quick strike in the 17^th minute. Ethan Dekel Daks and Henry Weigand got behind the Wildcats defense to set up Adam Luckhurst for a shot that went over the foot of diving UK goalkeeper Casper Mols. 
 
59’ Kentucky tied the game early after the break with a goal from Eythor Bjorgolfsson. The goal was assisted by Ben Damage and Robert Screen.
 
75’ Casper Grening created through a packed South Carolina back line to fine Damage, who placed the ball perfectly in the back of the net to give UK the victory.
 
FIRST HALF
It was South Carolina (5-8-4) that started the scoring in the 17th minutes with a brilliant counterattack following a UK scoring chance. SC’s Ethan Dekel Daks and Henry Weigand got behind the UK defense and setup Adam Luckhurst finishing with his right foot over the diving UK goalkeeper Casper Mols. UK had several chances in the first half, finishing the first 45 minutes with a 6-3 lead in shots.
 
SECOND HALF
In the second half, UK attacked the South Carolina goal from the start, outshooting the Gamecocks 10-3, including a 4-0 edge in second-half corner kicks. The equalizer came when UK’s Eythor Bjorgolfsson put on past SC keeper Ben Alexander with his right foot. The goal was assisted by Ben Damage and Robert Screen, creating through the packed SC defense. 
 
Kentucky then set the large crowd into a frenzy with the eventual game-winning goal in the 75th minute. It was Casper Grening creating through a wall of South Carolina defenders this time, then making an incredible centering pass to Damage, who placed the ball perfectly in the back of the net to give UK the victory. 
 
WHAT’S NEXT
Kentucky (12-0-5) will face fourth-seeded West Virginia on Wednesday for a spot in the championship game. The semifinal contest will kickoff at 7 p.m. ET at the Bell Soccer Complex. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youth (non-student ages 3-18) and $5 for senior citizens (65+). Children 2 and under will be admitted free of charge as will all Sun Belt Conference students who show a valid university issued ID. All tickets will be mobile. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to arriving at the event online.  Gates to the Bell Soccer Complex will open at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
 
West Virginia and Kentucky met once this season with the teams fighting for a 3-3 draw in Morgantown.