Recap: South Carolina 1, Kentucky 0 (Men's Soccer)

Game date: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 · Eugene E. Stone III Stadium, Columbia, S.C.

Kentucky men's soccer went into Columbia and pushed No. 9 South Carolina all night, but one goal was the difference. After a weather delay 25 minutes in, Christian Ortiz put the Gamecocks up in the 26th minute, and that 1-0 lead held to the final whistle.

The Cats weren't outclassed. Shots on goal finished dead even at 7-7 (South Carolina had the 16-13 edge in total shots), and Kentucky put six on frame in the first half alone. Fredrik Skilberg had a late look from inside the box to tie it, but it sailed over.

Freshman keeper Benjamin Rasmussen keeps stacking big nights: six more saves, giving him 40 on the season. The tough break: Costa Iliadis got a yellow in the 75th minute that was upgraded to a red after a VAR review, so he'll sit the next match.

Kentucky is 1-7-3 (1-2-1 Sun Belt). Next up: at No. 16 West Virginia on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. ET to close the three-game road trip.

Source: UK Athletics recap. Big Blue Times is an independent fan site.