No. 21 Georgia Hosts Kentucky in SEC Home Opener

#21 Georgia (5-2-2, 1-0-0 SEC) vs. Kentucky (7-2-0, 1-0-0 SEC)
Date: Thursday, Sept. 18
Time: 6:30 p.m. EDT
Location: Athens, Ga.
Site: Turner Soccer Complex (1,682)

MEDIA INFORMATION
Stream: SEC Network+ (Jeff Dantzler, PxP / Cecily Stoute, Analyst)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
X: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer

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

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: Georgia leads 16-9-6
In Athens: Georgia leads 7-5-2
In Lexington: Georgia leads 8-4-3
Neutral: Georgia leads 1-0-1
Last Meeting: T, 1-1 (Sept. 26, 2024 – Lexington, Ky.)
Current Streak: T1
GF / GA: 39 / 32

QUICK KICKS
Bluegrass Battle
No. 21 Georgia begins its Southeastern Conference home schedule with a Thursday night match against Kentucky at the Turner Soccer Complex, following a season-long two-week absence from its home pitch. The Bulldogs look to continue the momentum from a dominant 3-0 victory at Texas A&M in its season opener last Friday, while the Wildcats are facing their third straight ranked opponent, having lost to No. 20 Ohio State and upset No. 21 Oklahoma.

Georgia holds a seven-match unbeaten streak against Kentucky dating back to 2018. Last season, Hannah White's late goal sealed a 1-1 tie in Lexington, while the teams played a pair of exciting contests in the 2023 season. First, Kentucky native Summer Denigan scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory in Athens to claim the program's first and only SEC East title. In the rematch at the SEC Tournament, Denigan received a red card 90 seconds into play as the Bulldogs used second-half goals from Croix Bethune and Mallie McKenzie for a comeback 2-1 win on the way to a tournament title.

O Captain! Our Captains!
Georgia posted an auspicious SEC debut last Friday, besting Texas A&M, 3-0, in Bryan-College Station with goals from all three team captains. It was the largest margin of victory for the Bulldogs in a conference match since a 3-0 win at Kentucky on Oct. 23, 2022, as well as the first SEC match with three goals since 2023. Cate Hardin opened the scoring in the seventh minute as she headed in a corner from Mya Townes, who earned her first career assist. For Hardin, it was her second career goal, following her previous score that came nearly three years earlier on the same field. In the second half, Kiera Staude scored her fifth goal of the season, followed four minutes later by a beautiful goal from Summer Denigan off services from Hardin and Staude. For her performance, Hardin was named to TopDrawerSoccer's National Team of the Week Honorable Mention.

The Formula
At the halfway point of the regular season, Georgia's winning formula has become apparent. The Bulldogs are 5-0 when scoring first, 5-0 when scoring two or more goals, and 4-0 when leading at the half. All three of those conditions were met for Friday night's victory at Texas A&M.

Summer, Summer, Summertime
Redshirt junior midfielder Summer Denigan has asserted herself as one of the nation's top players in the 2025 season. Through nine matches, Denigan has tallied seven goals (ranked eighth nationally and first in the SEC) and an assist, while also ranking second nationally with four match-winning goals. In the Georgia record books, Denigan ranks fifth in winners with 10 in her career. Meanwhile, her six goals in non-conference play mark the most for a Bulldog since Mollie Belisle scored 10 in the 2021 slate. Following a seven-point week against No. 12 North Carolina and Michigan in August, Denigan was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in her career, followed by placements on TopDrawerSoccer's National Team of the Week and National Player of the Year Leaderboard.

Youth Movement
Georgia is one of only four P4 programs to feature two 17-year-old players: goalkeeper Hannah Folliard and forward Ava Stack. Folliard has tallied 18 saves in five shutouts in nine starts, while Stack scored for the first time against North Florida and made her first career start at Texas A&M. The youth movement has marked Georgia's season in general, with five freshmen starting against the Aggies and eight taking the field in the match.

Up Next
No. 21 Georgia returns to the road to face Ole Miss on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. EST in Oxford. The match will air live on SEC Network.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Promotion: Thursday night is Fútbol Fiesta at the Turner Soccer Complex. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free Fútbol Fiesta T-shirt at halftime of the match.
Free Admission: All matches at Turner Soccer Complex are free. No tickets are required for admission.
Entrance: Spectators will only be able to enter the Turner Soccer Complex through the spectator gate located next to the soccer field on the left field/third base side of the softball stadium. Gates will open one hour prior to kickoff.
Clear Bags: The UGA Clear Bag policy will be in effect for all home matches.
Prohibited Items: Umbrellas and outside noise makers are not permitted at Turner Soccer Complex.
Sustainability: Turner Soccer Complex is on a journey to become a zero-waste facility for the 2025 season.
Concessions: Concessions will be available via cashless/contactless payment.
Merchandise: The UGA Bookstore will be selling merchandise on site.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Summer Denigan

Hannah Folliard

Cate Hardin

Ava Stack

Kiera Staude

Mya Townes

Hannah White