LEXINGTON, Ky. — The No. 25/18 Texas soccer team saw its four-match unbeaten streak come to an end on Friday night, losing to Kentucky 3-2 at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
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The Longhorns (7-3-3, 2-2-2 SEC) initially took a 2-0 lead in the first half, but the Wildcats (7-5-1, 3-2-1 SEC) responded with three goals in the second half to secure their first victory over a ranked opponent this season.
The decisive goal came from Kyla Dawn in the 90th minute, marking her team-leading 10th of the season. She found the net after a corner kick, tapping in a loose ball into the bottom left corner.
Kentucky tied the game in the 66th minute when Elise Ernest headed a cross from Michelle Moskau into the net. Eight minutes prior, Ernest assisted on Kentucky's first goal, sending a cross that Rayna Powers converted with a ricochet off a defender.
Texas's scoring was spearheaded by Amalia Villarreal, the reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Week, who netted her third goal in two matches with a 20-yard strike. Villarreal also assisted Ava McDonald, who crossed the ball to an onrushing Audrey Bryant for the second Texas goal.
Despite the loss, Texas outshot Kentucky 12-11, with a 9-5 advantage in the first half.
The Longhorns will next return home to face LSU on Thursday, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mike A. Myers Stadium.