Georgia Travels to Face Kentucky Sunday

Georgia (10-5-1, 4-3-1 SEC) at Kentucky (7-7-2, 0-6-2 SEC)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 23
Time: 1 p.m. EDT
Location: Lexington, Ky.
Site: Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex (3,368)

MEDIA INFORMATION
Live Stream: SEC Network+
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
Twitter: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer

Social Media: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

QUICK KICKS
Bluegrass Battle
Georgia begins its final road trip of the season as it faces Kentucky Sunday. The Bulldogs are unbeaten in their last three meetings with the Wildcats, including a 2-1 win last season in Athens, Georgia's last come-from-behind victory. Following a 1-0 win over Ole Miss, Georgia currently sits in a three-way tie with South Carolina and Mississippi State for fifth in the SEC standings, holding the sixth and final bye for the SEC Tournament in Pensacola.

Brown's Big Debut
Freshman goalkeeper Jordan Brown has made an immediate impact on Georgia, posting a pair of shutout wins in her first two starts and giving the Bulldogs consecutive clean sheets in SEC play for the first time since 2012. Brown also posted Georgia's first shot on frame during Thursday's match against Ole Miss. Last Friday against Missouri, the Las Vegas native earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors as she became the first freshman keeper to post a shutout in her first career start since Michelle Betos in 2006.

Boyan Breaking Record
With a start against Kentucky, graduate midfielder Abby Boyan will set a new program record for career starts (88), breaking the record held by Bulldog legend Carrie Patterson. Boyan is also on pace to break Natalie Farley's record for most career appearances (88). The Spring Lake, New Jersey native also ranks fourth in shots (187) and seventh in assists (18).

Fellow graduates Cecily Stoute and Dani Murguia are also nearing the top of the all-time appearances list. Murguia is tied for fifth (86) and Stoute ranks ninth (84), as well as third in starts (84).

Hearty Home Slate
Georgia has faced one of the toughest home schedules in the country with four ranked opponents playing at Turner this season, tied for the most in a single season (1997, 2009, 2015). The Bulldogs played three consecutive ranked opponents in Athens (No. 8 South Carolina, No. 6 Alabama, No. 19 Tennessee), matching a run of three straight ranked home opponents in 2008 (No. 7 Virginia, No. 10 Stanford, No. 3 USC). Overall, Georgia ranks fifth in the SEC and 22nd nationally in strength of schedule.

Spreading the Wealth
Through 16 matches, 15 different Bulldogs have scored this season, the second-most goal scorers in a single season. In the 1998 season, 16 different players netted a goal. In another sign of the Bulldogs' depth, 12 of Georgia's 33 goals this season (36.3 percent) have been scored by players coming off the bench.

Dawgs in the Polls
This week, Georgia moved up to 38th in the NCAA RPI rankings and re-entered the United Soccer Coaches Southeast Regional poll at No. 10. The Bulldogs are one of 11 SEC schools ranked in the top 55 of the RPI, including Ole Miss and upcoming opponent Mississippi State.

Tidbits and Trends
With two matches remaining in the regular season, Georgia has only allowed 12 opponent goals, currently tied with the 2005 season for fewest in program history. Along with eight shutouts, Georgia's goalkeepers have posted a 0.75 goals against average rate, which would be the second-lowest in program history. On the offensive front, the Bulldogs' .130 shooting percentage currently ranks fifth in history.

Scoring in Unique Ways
Georgia returned to the win column on Oct. 14 against Missouri in a 2-0 result. Both of the Bulldogs' goals came in unconventional ways, with the first goal being an own goal by the Tigers, followed by a converted penalty by Dani Murguia. On two prior occasions (2000 vs. Utah, 2011 vs. Alabama), the Bulldogs scored two goals in a match outside the normal run of play.

Up Next
Georgia closes regular season play with a trip to Mississippi State on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

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Players Mentioned

Abby Boyan

Jordan Brown

Dani Murguia

Cecily Stoute