2019 Conference USA Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year Kalil ElMedkhar continued his elevated play over the last two weeks, leading No. 23 Kentucky to a 1-0 win over Coastal Carolina on Saturday night at Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
The Wildcats improve to 5-1-2 (1-0-1 C-USA) with their third consecutive shutout, while the Chanticleers, untested in the Sun Belt Conference, fall to 4-3-1.
Saturday marked ElMedkhar’s fourth goal in as many outings, complemented by a team-best three assists on the season. The junior midfielder connected on his first penalty kick in the 21st minute after a CCU foul in the box on Oliver Gerbig, sending a ball just outside the reach of goalkeeper Alberto Ciroi to the lower-right corner of the net.
The Cats’ fourth goal scored in the first half of a match this season proved to be the night’s game winner.
The Kentucky back line of Aimé Mabika, John Michael Bandy, Nicolas Blassou and Robert Screen helped guide junior keeper Enrique Facusse to his fourth overall clean sheet of the year. Facusse saw a total of seven shots from Coastal Carolina, recording three saves in the process.
Kentucky attempted four shots on the night, with ElMedkhar, Jason Reyes, Daniel Evans and Jansen Wilson hoisting one apiece.
The Cats’ next two contests will be non-conference road trips to neighboring states, starting with ETSU next Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET before a visit to No. 5 Indiana on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s soccer team, follow @UKMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as on the web at UKAthletics.com.
‑ GO CATS –
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