![Georgia defender Summer Burnett (11) during the Bulldogs' game against Kentucky at the Turner Soccer Complex in Athens, Ga. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. (Photo by Caitlyn Tam / Georgia Sports Communication)](https://photos.smugmug.com/Soccer/2017/Matches/Kentucky/Kentucky-CT/i-BfQ4mZc/0/733536b0/M/soccer-6-M.jpg)
(Photo by Caitlyn Tam / Georgia Sports Communication)
The Georgia women’s soccer team fell short on senior night, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Kentucky Wildcats in the Bulldogs’ season finale on Thursday night at the Turner Soccer Complex.
Georgia honored its 11 seniors in a pre-game ceremony in which each senior was escorted by family and friends and received their framed jersey. The seniors included Maddie Burdick, Summer Burnett, Delaney Fechalos, Mariel Gutierrez, Natalie Goodman, Louise Hogrell, Kelsey Killean, Kelsey Nix, Alex Pallo, Josie Roebuck, and Carly Settles.
“Senior day is always emotional especially when you have 11,” Georgia head coach Billy Lesesne said. “It really is a lot of emotion. Our seniors have given so much to the program and they’ve set a wonderful example for the younger players. They’ve been great mentors and I think our program is going to be in a better place because of the efforts they’ve made to welcome and show the traditions of our program to all of these younger players. It was a disappointing result on the field but still there’s happiness in your heart for what the seniors have sacrificed and what they’ve done for Georgia- just knowing what kind of people they are and how successful they’re going to be in the next aspect of their lives.”
Georgia (4-12-2, 0-9-1 SEC) fell behind early as Kentucky’s (8-12, 3-7 SEC) Katy Keen scored off a cross from Foster Ignoffo at the 5:21 mark.
The Bulldogs were able to build some momentum by outshooting the Wildcats in the first half, 8-6, and matching their shots on goal (4). However, the Wildcats made it a 2-0 deficit when Ignoffo scored off a Sophie Babo assist in the 38th minute.
Georgia came out firing in the second half by keeping possession and putting together a series of efficient shots.
Freshman Mollie Belisle had two great looks on goal in the 58th and 59th minutes. The first was saved and the second rebounded off the crossbar.
Gutierrez was set up for a shot by Pallo in the 68th minute, but the ball rolled wide to the right.
Kentucky strengthened its lead to a decisive 3-0 off the foot of Miranda Jimenez who was set up by a series of headers off a corner.
With three minutes remaining, all available seniors entered the game to close out their careers as Bulldogs.
In the final minute of play, Gutierrez was almost able to break the shutout when she scored off a rebound from successive shots from Fechalos and Killean, but was called offsides for no goal.
CLICK HERE for the full box score from the Georgia-Kentucky soccer match.