Kentucky soccer programs score big on preseason watch lists

Both men's and women's soccer have multiple players named to preseason conference teams
Forrest Tucker,

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Seven Kentucky soccer players are on the preseason watchlists for their respective conferences, the Southeastern and the Sun Belt.

Johan Cedergren’s men’s soccer side play in the Sun Belt and Troy Fabiano’s women’s team plays in the SEC.

Five players selected from UK Women’s Soccer

  • Marzia Josephson
  • Maddie Kemp
  • Sophia Mattice
  • Grace Phillpotts
  • Makala Woods

Josephson is the only second-timer on the preseason list. Her inclusion has been earned with a stellar 2023 campaign in the rear view mirror. The former North Carolina shot stopper had a career-high 52 saves and a program tied for second best nine clean sheets for the Cats last season.

Fresh off of SEC All-Second Team honors last year, Phillpotts had the second most assists on the team with four through her 19 starts in 2023.

Woods starred for Lexington Sporting Club’s W League side over the summer and joins the Wildcats from Illinois. Last season, Woods tallied three goals and assists for the Fighting Illini.

Two more transfers, Kemp and Mattice, join the team after successful careers out west.

Kemp comes from Gonzaga where she started 20 games, scored nine goals and five assists last season. Mattice scored a career high three goals and contributed three assists to her Portland women’s soccer team in 2023.

Two players tapped from UK Men’s Soccer

  • Isaiah Chisolm
  • Casper Mols

Chisolm continues his time in Lexington after a three goal and three assist season when he led the team in shots with 34. On the other side of the pitch, Mols is coming off of a standout year in the Sun Belt. He finished second in the final standings with a 75% save percentage.

What’s Ahead for the Cats

Women’s soccer starts its season against Central Michigan on Thursday August 15th at home at 7:30 p.m.

Men’s soccer plays the Northern Kentucky Norse in its final exhibition match at home on Friday August 16 at 7:30 p.m.

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