ETSU 3, No. 25 Kentucky 1

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The ETSU men’s soccer team upended the 25th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats on Wednesday, 3-1. Graduate student James Smith netted a goal and picked up an assist in the match.

The first goal of the game went in ETSU’s favor in the 19th minute, which was the fastest goal scored this season for the Bucs. Sophomore Jeffrey George was able to corral a rebound off a UK defender and gave the ball to Smith on the left side of the box. Smith was able to kick it in with his left foot for the goal.

ETSU (2-2-1) did not waste much time after scoring its first goal. The Bucs were on the attack just five minutes later to score the second goal of the game. This time, junior Joao Ramalho netted his second goal of the season in the 24th minute. The Bucs found themselves on the counterattack when Christian Ilia took a long kick from midfield to Ramalho. Ramalho found himself outnumbered, but he was able to get a strong shot off that found the bottom left-hand corner.

Kentucky retaliated in the 36th minute when Kristoffer Tollefsen mimicked an Ilia cross from midfield to his teammate Xahne Reid. Reid moved quickly on the left side and beat ETSU goalkeeper Jonny Sutherland to cut the lead in half.

Coming out after the half, Smith found himself in the UK box in the 47th minute. He took a strong shot that would have been on goal if it weren’t blocked. Junior Mitchell Cecatiello found the rebound and snuck his shot in the middle of the goal.

ETSU will finish its nonconference schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 22, against the Liberty Flames. The match will be held at Summers-Taylor Stadium at 5 p.m.