Soccer

Rhodes has set an impressive record at the University of Kentucky with 45 career goals, making her the highest-scoring women’s soccer player in the school’s history. She also ranks third in points (104), second in games played (85), and second in shots (234). Notably, Rhodes is a two-time First-Team All-SEC selection, one of only six players in the program’s history to receive this honor multiple times. She has also been recognized as a three-time United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region honoree.

This marks the most selections for the Louisville program since the 2017 season, when four players were taken. The Cardinals have had at least one player selected in 12 of the last 14 seasons, and head coach John Michael Hayden has seen seven players drafted in his five years with the program.

For Roed, this marks his second All-Region selection, having previously been named a second team honoree in 2022. He has consistently been a key player in Louisville’s offensive attack, and his abilities did not go unnoticed. Roed finished the season with five goals and led the Cardinals with nine assists, tying for the fourth-most in a single season in program history. His standout performance came in the ACC Championship quarterfinal round, where he notched a hat trick and an assist in a thrilling 4-3 win over Notre Dame. This incredible feat marked the first hat trick by a Louisville player since 2017 and set an ACC Championship record with seven points. Roed’s impact on the team cannot be understated.

Miller, a Lexington native, showcased his skills on the field as a defender and played a key role in the team’s success. He led the squad in assists with a total of seven, surpassing his freshman tally. Head coach Johan Cedergren spoke highly of Miller’s contributions, saying, “His leadership on and off the field has not gone unnoticed by myself and our staff, so it’s great to see it awarded in this way.”

The highly anticipated fourth-annual adidas MLS College Showcase is scheduled to take place from December 6th to 9th in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a closed-door scouting event exclusively sanctioned by the NCAA. This showcase serves as a platform for the top 44 college players, ranging from freshmen to graduate students, to showcase their abilities in various training sessions, testing, interviews, and match play.

Head coach Johan Cedergren expressed his excitement for Mols, stating, “This invitation is a huge honor for Casper. I’m excited for him to have the opportunity to showcase his abilities on such a large stage. I think he will be very impressive in the net.”

This is Rhodes’ third consecutive year receiving this honor. She was named to the Second Team in 2021 and the Third Team in 2020. Rhodes had an outstanding season, leading the Wildcats with nine goals and 22 points. In an impressive feat, she became Kentucky’s all-time leading goal scorer with a total of 45 career goals. Her exceptional performance also earned her a spot on the All-SEC First Team and she was twice named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

Known by his teammates as “The Hammer,” Damge has been an exceptional student-athlete throughout his four years at Kentucky. Hailing from Mason, Ohio, he boasts an impressive 3.93 grade-point average as a Finance and Accounting major.

Under the guidance of head coach Johan Cedergren, Kentucky has made 10 NCAA Tournaments in his 12 seasons as coach, accumulating 14 appearances in program history. The Wildcats faced a challenging start to the 2023 season with a 3-6-0 record, but they turned the tide in October, going unbeaten in their final seven regular season matches. Notably, Kentucky upset No. 1 Marshall and No. 2 West Virginia, paving the way for a postseason run.

Both teams had scoring chances early in the game, but were unable to find the back of the net until the 72nd minute when West Virginia broke the scoreless tie with a shot from the top of the box that found the right post.