LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Senior Sami Lopez recorded the first goal of the game to give the Oakland women's soccer team an early 1-0 lead, but the Golden Grizzlies were unable to hold off the University of Kentucky as the Wildcats defeated Oakland 4-1 from the Wendell and Vickie Bell Soccer Complex Sunday afternoon.
 
Lopez gave Oakland a 1-0 lead at the 26:26 mark of the first half with a perfectly placed assist from Jackie Reilly. It marks the first goal of the year for Lopez, and the third Golden Grizzly to tally a goal on the year.
 
Kentucky evened things up about 10 minutes later, as the Wildcats and Golden Grizzlies headed into halftime deadlocked at 1-1. 
 
It wasn't until the 69th minute of the game Kentucky was able to take its first lead of the game when the Wildcats found the back of the net from nearly 20 yards out to go up 2-1.
 
Kentucky (3-1-2) added two goals in the last 10 minutes of play, to solidify a 4-1 victory. 
 
The Golden Grizzlies (1-5)  will conclude non-conference play with two games at the Oakland Soccer Field next week. Oakland will host Michigan State Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and Kent State Sunday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+/3.