September 11, 2024 • 23 mins
UK Senior Makala Woods joins the show to discuss the women's soccer team, her path to Kentucky in the portal, and her post-grad major choice!
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Speaker 1 (00:10):
What's Up, Big Blue Nation. Welcome to the latest edition
of the UK Sports Network Today podcast. Andrew Capus, you
are host here and very excited to be joined by
Mikayla Woods on this week's episode, a very very apropos
guest considering what women's soccer just did this past Sunday,
Michayla playing a huge part of that as well, taking
(00:31):
down number nine UCLA and now the Cats inside the
top twenty five and some polls top ten even in others.
But more on that later. Was a wonderful conversation with Mikayla.
She got into her grad transfer decision making process into
getting to Kentucky from Illinois, but also spoke a lot
about her major head coach, Troy Fabiano, and just the
(00:54):
general makeup of this UK women's soccer team that is
now poised to have a huge, huge, and thanks to
Michaela's contributions and to hear from her some youngsters as well.
Before we get to talking to Mikayla Woods, want to
remind you that the UK Sports Network Today podcast is
presented by the Big Blue Brew. It's the official newsletter
of UK Athletics. You could sign up today at UK
(01:16):
Athletics dot com slash Big Blue Brew. The Big Blue
Brew is completely free and it hits inboxes every single
weekday morning. Once again, that's UK Athletics dot com slash
Big Blue Brew. Now let's get to a wonderful conversation
with UK soccer star Mikhayla Woods. A very big welcome
(01:37):
to the UK sn Today program to Mikayla Woods of
Kentucky Women's Soccer. Mikayla, it's an early morning for you
after a win. Are you always up this early after
a big dub?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Yeah? We have wellness to at nine am every day,
so we have to get up to make sure. But
it makes sense so you're not like sleeping in too late.
But yeah, we gotta be up or No. One wasn't
on Troy's batside for not doing well.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
No, I've known coach Fabiano since his Milwaukee days and
I can really appreciate that. Yeah, I used to do
the Milaukee Horizon League Championships actually back in the day
before my arrival to UK.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
But wow, I was gonna stay it is it really is.
When Kyle said ten am, I said, are we sure?
Because but it was a big win last night. I know.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Murray speak was very stubborn on defense, but the offense
finally broke through in the sixty sixth minute and now
it's the best start for women's soccer in thirteen years.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Been a long time coming.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Yeah, it's like so cool to be just like a
part of this, Like, it's so awesome to just see
it all grow. Because being from Ohio, I've seen Kentucky
all the time, like you always hear about it, You
always hear about Big Blue Nation and like the Cats
and like all that kind of stuff up in Ohio.
So to just see like the program do well and
just like to be able to be part of that
(03:01):
is just so awesome. It's like really so much fun, honestly.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Six and oh.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Overall it's a technically the second best start one previous
occurrence of seven and oh, just the third time in
program history, which is incredible when you consider some of
the teams that have come through UK women's soccer that
the squad has started six and oh, what's it? I
know you mentioned coach Fabiano just before he's in his
third year. It was a kind of a rebuilding effort
(03:27):
when he got here. But it seems like all those pieces,
including yourself transferring in are coming together.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Yeah, I would say I want to. It's like a
big credit to the freshmen, Like they're a huge class.
We had what fifteen sixteen freshmen, and they have absolutely
stepped up. I think it was important for them because
they are half of the team and we're so young
and we're so new, even with all the transfers coming in,
(03:53):
I felt like they took it all in stride. Honestly,
Like they've shown up. We have like what four or
five freshmen on the scoreboard already, Like it's just like
so amazing. And I think it all starts with Troy
and like making sure that we're all integrated and knowing
that just making sure we're all on the same page
and we all want the same thing, and honestly, that's
to win and just stacked days and just to be
(04:15):
better and better every day.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
So you're being you're being very humble because you mentioned
all those freshmen. How big is your role not just
on the field. We'll talk about your role on the
field here in just a few minutes, but really off
the off the field as well, because you remember being
a freshman in Illinois, it's a huge transition from high
school so I'm sure you're being leaned on a lot
by those young kids.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
I think it's so it's interesting because I'm in like, yeah,
I'm a fifth year, but I'm also new too, so
like there's like it's like kind of half and half
for me. I think I leave like the culture in
the Kentucky things to the girls who have been here.
For me, it's just like being a support system. I think,
like you said, being a freshman is so hard, and
(04:59):
like I went to high school to college, it's like
such a big jump. And I think for me, I
know when I was a freshman, like just celebrating the
low wins, like when you make a good pass or
good touch or like when a freshman bulldozes through someone
like that, that's just awesome. So like just making sure
that they know that even their little efforts are appreciated
(05:21):
in the small wins are just as important as the
big wins. So I think that's just like a big
thing for me, just being a supporters some support syste
of them because at the end of the day, like
I want to see them win because it's a team sport.
If everyone's winning, that the team wins. And I just
like really love all the freshmen. They're awesome people. So
every time they succeed, like I try to be their
biggest cheerleader and their biggest supporter because it's just so
(05:43):
fun to watch them grow.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
I have such a respect for them because I haven't
been a freshman in fifteen years, but I'd still be
lost on campus if it wasn't for some kind of
superclassmen for me trying to find my classes. But your season,
you're having an incredible season. You at your your career
at Illinois, you didn't play a whole lot your first
couple of years, but then became a starter.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
In your final season, you had three goals.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
You're already at that total through just six contests in
the starting eleven for Kentucky.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
So it's been a great start for you.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Yeah, it's been different, I think, you know, one being
in the SEC than being in the Big ten. That's
two completely different styles of play, like two different conferences.
So it's really interesting to see the differences. I think.
I think the environment plays a huge role in that.
(06:34):
I you know, being so new, and this is credit
to the girls who've been here, like all of us
have been open with just welcome, with open arms and
we've been set up for success, and the team chemistry
is just there. I think we are learning each other
and we're working for each other. And I think that's
such a big deal because all of my goals have
(06:55):
been team oriented goals, you know, like getting good one
two passes or like off of transitions from defense. So
it's like you're seeing your team works so hard and
you're the end product. So it's like you're not scoring
for yourself, you're scoring for all those people who just
work their butts off to get you that ball. And
(07:17):
I think that is that plays a huge role. And
again it goes back to also the support system, Like
this team is so supportive of each other. We all
want to see each other win. I think this is
the loudest bench I've ever been a part of. In
my five years of collegiate soccer, I've never seen anything
like it. So just being a part of that support system,
it just like gives you room to breathe and you
(07:39):
feel like you have a room to make mistakes. And
when you feel like you have room to make mistakes,
you're more willing to put yourself out there and you're
more willing to do take more chances and chances and
like bayfully it's paid off.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Yeah, you mentioned the offense coming from the defense, the
staggering stat that I still find wild through six matches.
You guys are out there shooting your opponents one hundred
and thirty to twenty three, So there's twenty three shots
allowed in six matches. Is just wild to me. So
where does that start? Does it start with the back
(08:12):
four or is it a collective effort between all eleven
on the field.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
I think it's a collective effort. I mean Troy is
so big or even the fowards defending because I know,
like being a four and it's like, ah, like I'll
just do my little bit and I'll just stand up
there like do whatever. It's fine, but like, no, that's
not a standard here every single person on that field defense.
(08:36):
But then at the same time, that back four has
been so solid. What we've led up two goals in
six games, like that goes to show the leadership from Mars,
you know, and our back line and except actually, because
our Ciner backs are so young, we have kt May
what a reshirt freshman of Michelle, like a true freshman,
Like these are two girls who really had to step up,
(08:57):
and I think they've done really good job with taking
the pressure of it and just like taking it and
shride and being better every day. But I think that
confidence between those two freshmen has just moved up the
field all around. So I think it is a collective effort,
but it definitely does start with the back line and
(09:18):
them being so confident. And I think it goes to say,
for Phil Potts, you know, she's a vet there and
Grace even Grace Hooy Tank is still only a sophomore too,
so we have a relatively really young back line, and
I think seeing their confidence at each other and then
themselves just like really spreads throughout the whole field and
it makes everyone confident in their defending.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
You're obviously a focal point for opposing team seeing you know,
your goal scoring prowess leading the team with three. But
the thing that I think sets you guys apart offensively
is you look at the balance offensively, you have yourself
leading the team with three goals, but then you have
a pair of two goal scorers, six different Wildcats and
just six matches have scored goals already.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
I think that's pretty incredible.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
I think I think it is too, and I think
it's because we have so many people who can score
goals that makes it so dangerous. You know, all the
great teams have multiple goal scorers. You know, it's so
much easier to just focus on one person because oh,
like the other ones can't score. You can't do that
even coming off the bench. We have girls scoring goals too,
(10:22):
So it's like defense, Like defenders can never rest with us,
and I think that's so important. They're always on the
toes because any single person that gets the ball is dangerous.
I mean, you think of the graces on the outside
with their crosses inside. You look at Michelle Moscow heading
the ball, being a ball winner, getting in on corners.
(10:43):
You think of Maddy camp to score two goals against
Jacksonville State, Like it's just like everywhere there's someone dangerous.
And I think that's just so important, and I think
that's why we've seen so much success.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
We were talking before we went live here to record
and recording this on Friday. For them was wondering exactly
the timeframes was just after the Murray State Murray State victory,
but we were talking here from Monroe, Ohio. Yeah, not
terribly far from where I'm from where I'm recording right
now here in beautiful Bellevue, Kentucky. You can share as
(11:16):
much as you want, it as little as you want.
But the transfer portal when you were when you were
exiting Illinois and deciding on your next destination. I think
basketball and football obviously get a whole lot of attention
with the portal, but I think people are aware that
it's it's in every sport. So what was that process
like for you and why Kentucky when you ultimately made
(11:36):
your decision.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Oh, it was terrifying. Oh my gosh, I've never been
so scared of my life. I was like, what if
I go in and like, no schools contact me because
you don't have a lot of information on the portal.
Before you go into the portal, you literally go to
your compliance officer, like they you watch like a two
minute video about the rules of the portal, and then
you sign a document saying you're like that's literally honest.
(12:00):
So it is absolutely terrifying, But I thought it was
the right thing. With Illinois. They taught me so much, right, Like,
I grew so much as a person. I mean, that's
why Alma Mater spent four years there, graduated from there,
so I have to give a lot of fakes and
a lot of credits to that's school for building me
to the person I have today. But I had felt
(12:20):
that I had learned everything I needed to learn from Illinois,
and I felt like it was time to like move on.
And so when I entered that portal, it was terrifying
because I was like, what if I'm making the wrong
choice here? Should I just stay take my faith or
do I even take my faith? Year? Like do I
move on? Like just so many like questions to be answered.
(12:41):
But I took leave with faith and went to the portal,
and it was very overwhelming. It's like recruiting all over again.
And I haven't been recruited for what I convinced Illinois
my software year of high school, so it was like
six years since I've been recruited, So it was really
nerve wracking. In this time, I didn't have a club
coach or you know, mom and dad to like do it,
(13:03):
because of course mom and dad help, but I'm I'm
an adult now, like I have to make my own decisions,
So they were super scary. But when I going on
to Kentucky, like I was like uh, like that's really
close to home. Like I wanted to be close to
home because my little sister's going to be a singer
in high school and that's super important to me. But
I was like, big, I'll stay in Ohio, you know,
(13:24):
like I'll stay in the Ohio school. And then Troy
reached out and I was like, I don't know if
I want to go to Kentucky, like I want to
stay in Ohio. And then my best friend was like
Mickayla like the least put on a phone call and
I called Troy and had a great conversation, like was
so good. He was like, come on a visit, and
I just fell in love with Lexington and I was
(13:47):
like this place is so awesome, like seeing the BBN
everywhere and Big Blue everywhere just to support that the
school gets. And then seeing the coaching staff and you know,
you have Troy, you have Yellin, a Dobby Steve, like
these are all completely like four different personality types. I
just like Mesh so well and they fill the gaps
(14:09):
where others like don't fill and it's just like I
was like this is I was on the plane back
to Illinois and I was like, you know what. I
was like, this is this is where I need to be, Like,
this is where I want to take my fifth year,
and literally got off the plane and like called tour
and I was like, hey, like I want to come here.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
So, yeah, we are certainly glad that you chose Kentucky
and to take that fifth year. And I appreciate your
honesty because I think a lot of people can relate
to that, whether it be a fellow athlete that's either
in the portal, or maybe a high schooler that might
be listening that's going through the recruiting process, or even
just a regular student I think can be a little
overwhelmed with the choices. I know it's different in terms of,
(14:48):
you know, not necessarily being recruited per se, but just
the overwhelming in that eighteen to twenty three year range
of life, whereas things are still forming and you're still
kind of learning about yourself to have to make those decisions.
I think it's incredibly honest, and I think that's very
blatable on your part.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Yeah, I mean it's a scary time. I think even
I could think back to when I was a software like,
I didn't why was I making decisions like that? As
a pop war I was fourteen years old. What do
you mean, so, like, you know, like there's so many
big decisions going on, and I think it's just following
your gut, and I think it's all it's okay to
make a wrong choice, and it's okay to make mistakes.
(15:27):
I think it's just important that you just grow and
you learn from it and you make the best of
your you know, the best of your choices. And not
to say I made the wrong choice to go Illinois.
I don't regret it at all. I think I would
not be the person I am today if it was
not for the University of Illinois. There's no doubt in
my mind about that. But I think being there making
that choice led me to Lexington. So I just think, like,
(15:52):
just stand on your choices, because it's always going to
bring you to where you need to be all the time.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
And I think it speaks to really the importance of
grad program and whether you're transferring before your grad year,
so to speak, or after which you have an undergraduate
degree from the University of Illinois. My last question for you,
I wanted to ask because I was fascinated when I
was reading your bio you're majoring in with your grad anyway,
and social theory. Tell us a little bit about that
(16:19):
because it sounds really interesting.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Oh it's so cool. So I was a political science
degree at Illinois with a minor in philosophy and psychology.
So I love theory, Like I just like could sit
and talk all day and like basically social everything can
be related to social theory. Social theory is just how
(16:41):
people think and how people were things like if you
look at like politics, you talk about the political theory
and like different ways and stuff like that, Like we
talk about human theory and like how the world started,
like what happens you talk about religion. So theory is
just all the like ifs maybe and and you just
(17:04):
get to sit there and just talk about it. And
it's so interesting because you get to see so many
different people's points of view because like everyone has their
own story, so everyone has a different viewpoint of the
same conversation, and it's just talking about it and just
like seeing where it goes and that if it ads
and human nature, And I just think that's so cool
and I find it so interesting.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
You're a polycide background myself. I was a poly PSI
minor and really so I've always kicked around the idea
of going back to get.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
The degree just for the heck of it.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
But well, we'll have to up to talk some poly
side at.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
Something at the bell. Absolutely after a match. I won't
bother you before.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
Yeah, absolutely, that'd be so cool.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
But Mikaela, thank you. So this was a wonderful conversation.
So I hope we can have you on later on
in the season. Maybe maybe we check in right before
postseason play, right before the SEC.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Turned on something.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Absolutely, we'll be there in Florida. I can't wait. It's
gonna be I love with good tournament in Florida.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
Mikaela, thank you so much for your time. Best of
luck on Sunday against UCLA and in the start of SEC.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Play, well, thank you so much. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
Mikayla instrumental in Kentucky's upset two to oh victory over
number nine UCLA on Sunday. She won a penalty kick
inside the eighteen, getting taken out by the keeper on
a move toward goal, and then she stepped up from
the spot to convert that pk and move back to
the lead for UK. Goals on the campaign. She made
it one nothing in favor of Kentucky. A little later on,
(18:34):
Catherine de Rosa doubled that lead. It was her first
goal since joining Kentucky from Maryland, so a pair of
transfers making a big, big impact in the Cats held
on for the two to victory over number nine UCLA.
It is now the best start for Kentucky women's soccer
in thirteen years. The poll just came out prior to
(18:55):
the start of our broadcast. Kentucky number twenty one in
the Coach Poll, number nine in the Top Drawer Soccer poll,
so some national love for Kentucky. And then Mars Josephson
tabbed as the SEC Defensive Player of the Week. The
Kentucky keeper, a grad transfer from North Carolina, her second
SEC Defensive Player of the Week award and she has
(19:18):
been phenomenal this year. She's only conceded one goal even
though she's played five hundred and seventy six minutes between
the pipes for Kentucky. Really exciting start for the Cats.
We mentioned the best since two thousand and eleven.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
The back action.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
On Friday, it'll be Senior Night against kent State A
seven thirty start on secn plus. In other Kentucky soccer action,
the men's team inside the top twenty five, they fell
Top twenty five rival Louisville on Monday night. Unfortunately, Louisville
got a very late goal at the brink and end
of the match to take the victory, knocking UK men's
(19:56):
soccer out of the top twenty five. Louisville also fall
out of the top twenty five after an unranked loss
earlier in last week, but nonetheless Kentucky still future for
this men's soccer program ahead. It will be back in
action against Lipsom this Saturday, lipscom in Nashville, the Cats
on the road. It'll be an eight o'clock kickoff. They'll
return to the Bell on Friday, September twentieth. Big congrats
(20:20):
in order for Kentucky women's golf. They took runner up
spot at the prestigious twenty twenty four Betty lou Evans Invitational,
finishing in just behind the events winner. TCU men's golf
in action right now as we speak, Jansen Preston carding
an even par on Tuesday, as Kentucky right now tied
for ninth at the Folds of Honor Collegiate event, and
(20:42):
finally an update on Kentucky volleyball. Volleyball a big week
ahead as Craig Skinner continues to challenge his squad with
a tough non con coming off the Kentucky Invitation, in
which Kentucky picked up a pair of Imprecivic and battled
number seven Penn State in a matchup of top twenty
five teams this Friday. Kentucky took the first two sets
before Penn State was able to rally in a thriller,
(21:05):
winning set three, twenty six, twenty four. Unfortunately for the Cats,
the Nitney Lions took the fourth and fifth sets as
well to win the match three to two. But Kentucky
did rebound on Saturday, sweeping away James Madison in straight sets,
and the Cats did the same against Ball State on Sunday,
winning three sets to none over the Cardinals to go
two and one on the year. Brooklyn Delay leading the
(21:28):
way on Sunday, the only Cat in double figures with
twelve kills. As head coach Craig Skinner got to use
a lot of that bench on both Saturday and Sunday.
Freshman Brooke Baltima eight kills. Freshman Kennedy Washington her best
match in a Kentucky uniform, although she's been playing very
well as of late, even before this breakout game against
ball State, she finished with eight kills and hit four
(21:50):
sixty two for the match, and Megan Wilson, the transfer
in from Oklahoma, she had seven kills round out that
key scoring attacks, so finished two to one at the
Kentucky Invitational. They aren't out to Dallas, Texas for a
tournament in which they'll play SMU on Friday and then
they could see another top ten foe in Purdue, or
(22:12):
they'll take on the University of Houston one or the other,
depending on how the match on Friday goes for the
Cats and obviously the match for Purdue or Houston which
precedes the Cats and SMU on Friday. Again, that's in Dallas, Texas.
That potential top ten matchup would occur on Saturday against
Purdue if the two teams were to face off. But
(22:33):
a big one coming up next Wednesday inside the renovated
Memorial Coliseum, Kentucky taking on Louisville and what will be
a battle between two top ten programs. Kentucky checking in
at number ten in the latest AVCA poll, Louisville number four.
Kentucky will host the Cardinals though inside Memorial Coliseum, the
Battle of the Bluegrass getting underway at seven pm. It'll
(22:57):
be a nationally televised contest on ES, but we'll also
have it for you live on the UK Sports Network.
We'll have first served right at seven across the UK
Sports Network. Really look forward to that one as well.
That'll do it for this episode of UK Sports Network Today.
A big, big thanks to Curtis and Michelle at the
network as always, and a huge thanks to MICHAELA. Woods
(23:19):
being so gracious with her time and being open about
not only her major. We learned a lot about what
she's studying as a grad transfer of Kentucky, but also
that transfer process one of our favorite conversations we've had.
Can't wait to check in with her and UK women's
soccer as the season wears on. But for everyone at
the UK Sports Network, I met her kappas saying thanks
for listening and we'll talk to you next time on
(23:41):
the UK Sports Network Today podcast
What's Up, Big Blue Nation. Welcome to the latest edition
of the UK Sports Network Today podcast. Andrew Capus, you
are host here and very excited to be joined by
Mikayla Woods on this week's episode, a very very apropos
guest considering what women's soccer just did this past Sunday,
Michayla playing a huge part of that as well, taking
(00:31):
down number nine UCLA and now the Cats inside the
top twenty five and some polls top ten even in others.
But more on that later. Was a wonderful conversation with Mikayla.
She got into her grad transfer decision making process into
getting to Kentucky from Illinois, but also spoke a lot
about her major head coach, Troy Fabiano, and just the
(00:54):
general makeup of this UK women's soccer team that is
now poised to have a huge, huge, and thanks to
Michaela's contributions and to hear from her some youngsters as well.
Before we get to talking to Mikayla Woods, want to
remind you that the UK Sports Network Today podcast is
presented by the Big Blue Brew. It's the official newsletter
of UK Athletics. You could sign up today at UK
(01:16):
Athletics dot com slash Big Blue Brew. The Big Blue
Brew is completely free and it hits inboxes every single
weekday morning. Once again, that's UK Athletics dot com slash
Big Blue Brew. Now let's get to a wonderful conversation
with UK soccer star Mikhayla Woods. A very big welcome
(01:37):
to the UK sn Today program to Mikayla Woods of
Kentucky Women's Soccer. Mikayla, it's an early morning for you
after a win. Are you always up this early after
a big dub?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Yeah? We have wellness to at nine am every day,
so we have to get up to make sure. But
it makes sense so you're not like sleeping in too late.
But yeah, we gotta be up or No. One wasn't
on Troy's batside for not doing well.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
No, I've known coach Fabiano since his Milwaukee days and
I can really appreciate that. Yeah, I used to do
the Milaukee Horizon League Championships actually back in the day
before my arrival to UK.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
But wow, I was gonna stay it is it really is.
When Kyle said ten am, I said, are we sure?
Because but it was a big win last night. I know.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Murray speak was very stubborn on defense, but the offense
finally broke through in the sixty sixth minute and now
it's the best start for women's soccer in thirteen years.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Been a long time coming.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Yeah, it's like so cool to be just like a
part of this, Like, it's so awesome to just see
it all grow. Because being from Ohio, I've seen Kentucky
all the time, like you always hear about it, You
always hear about Big Blue Nation and like the Cats
and like all that kind of stuff up in Ohio.
So to just see like the program do well and
just like to be able to be part of that
(03:01):
is just so awesome. It's like really so much fun, honestly.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Six and oh.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Overall it's a technically the second best start one previous
occurrence of seven and oh, just the third time in
program history, which is incredible when you consider some of
the teams that have come through UK women's soccer that
the squad has started six and oh, what's it? I
know you mentioned coach Fabiano just before he's in his
third year. It was a kind of a rebuilding effort
(03:27):
when he got here. But it seems like all those pieces,
including yourself transferring in are coming together.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Yeah, I would say I want to. It's like a
big credit to the freshmen, Like they're a huge class.
We had what fifteen sixteen freshmen, and they have absolutely
stepped up. I think it was important for them because
they are half of the team and we're so young
and we're so new, even with all the transfers coming in,
(03:53):
I felt like they took it all in stride. Honestly,
Like they've shown up. We have like what four or
five freshmen on the scoreboard already, Like it's just like
so amazing. And I think it all starts with Troy
and like making sure that we're all integrated and knowing
that just making sure we're all on the same page
and we all want the same thing, and honestly, that's
to win and just stacked days and just to be
(04:15):
better and better every day.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
So you're being you're being very humble because you mentioned
all those freshmen. How big is your role not just
on the field. We'll talk about your role on the
field here in just a few minutes, but really off
the off the field as well, because you remember being
a freshman in Illinois, it's a huge transition from high
school so I'm sure you're being leaned on a lot
by those young kids.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
I think it's so it's interesting because I'm in like, yeah,
I'm a fifth year, but I'm also new too, so
like there's like it's like kind of half and half
for me. I think I leave like the culture in
the Kentucky things to the girls who have been here.
For me, it's just like being a support system. I think,
like you said, being a freshman is so hard, and
(04:59):
like I went to high school to college, it's like
such a big jump. And I think for me, I
know when I was a freshman, like just celebrating the
low wins, like when you make a good pass or
good touch or like when a freshman bulldozes through someone
like that, that's just awesome. So like just making sure
that they know that even their little efforts are appreciated
(05:21):
in the small wins are just as important as the
big wins. So I think that's just like a big
thing for me, just being a supporters some support syste
of them because at the end of the day, like
I want to see them win because it's a team sport.
If everyone's winning, that the team wins. And I just
like really love all the freshmen. They're awesome people. So
every time they succeed, like I try to be their
biggest cheerleader and their biggest supporter because it's just so
(05:43):
fun to watch them grow.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
I have such a respect for them because I haven't
been a freshman in fifteen years, but I'd still be
lost on campus if it wasn't for some kind of
superclassmen for me trying to find my classes. But your season,
you're having an incredible season. You at your your career
at Illinois, you didn't play a whole lot your first
couple of years, but then became a starter.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
In your final season, you had three goals.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
You're already at that total through just six contests in
the starting eleven for Kentucky.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
So it's been a great start for you.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Yeah, it's been different, I think, you know, one being
in the SEC than being in the Big ten. That's
two completely different styles of play, like two different conferences.
So it's really interesting to see the differences. I think.
I think the environment plays a huge role in that.
(06:34):
I you know, being so new, and this is credit
to the girls who've been here, like all of us
have been open with just welcome, with open arms and
we've been set up for success, and the team chemistry
is just there. I think we are learning each other
and we're working for each other. And I think that's
such a big deal because all of my goals have
(06:55):
been team oriented goals, you know, like getting good one
two passes or like off of transitions from defense. So
it's like you're seeing your team works so hard and
you're the end product. So it's like you're not scoring
for yourself, you're scoring for all those people who just
work their butts off to get you that ball. And
(07:17):
I think that is that plays a huge role. And
again it goes back to also the support system, Like
this team is so supportive of each other. We all
want to see each other win. I think this is
the loudest bench I've ever been a part of. In
my five years of collegiate soccer, I've never seen anything
like it. So just being a part of that support system,
it just like gives you room to breathe and you
(07:39):
feel like you have a room to make mistakes. And
when you feel like you have room to make mistakes,
you're more willing to put yourself out there and you're
more willing to do take more chances and chances and
like bayfully it's paid off.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Yeah, you mentioned the offense coming from the defense, the
staggering stat that I still find wild through six matches.
You guys are out there shooting your opponents one hundred
and thirty to twenty three, So there's twenty three shots
allowed in six matches. Is just wild to me. So
where does that start? Does it start with the back
(08:12):
four or is it a collective effort between all eleven
on the field.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
I think it's a collective effort. I mean Troy is
so big or even the fowards defending because I know,
like being a four and it's like, ah, like I'll
just do my little bit and I'll just stand up
there like do whatever. It's fine, but like, no, that's
not a standard here every single person on that field defense.
(08:36):
But then at the same time, that back four has
been so solid. What we've led up two goals in
six games, like that goes to show the leadership from Mars,
you know, and our back line and except actually, because
our Ciner backs are so young, we have kt May
what a reshirt freshman of Michelle, like a true freshman,
Like these are two girls who really had to step up,
(08:57):
and I think they've done really good job with taking
the pressure of it and just like taking it and
shride and being better every day. But I think that
confidence between those two freshmen has just moved up the
field all around. So I think it is a collective effort,
but it definitely does start with the back line and
(09:18):
them being so confident. And I think it goes to say,
for Phil Potts, you know, she's a vet there and
Grace even Grace Hooy Tank is still only a sophomore too,
so we have a relatively really young back line, and
I think seeing their confidence at each other and then
themselves just like really spreads throughout the whole field and
it makes everyone confident in their defending.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
You're obviously a focal point for opposing team seeing you know,
your goal scoring prowess leading the team with three. But
the thing that I think sets you guys apart offensively
is you look at the balance offensively, you have yourself
leading the team with three goals, but then you have
a pair of two goal scorers, six different Wildcats and
just six matches have scored goals already.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
I think that's pretty incredible.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
I think I think it is too, and I think
it's because we have so many people who can score
goals that makes it so dangerous. You know, all the
great teams have multiple goal scorers. You know, it's so
much easier to just focus on one person because oh,
like the other ones can't score. You can't do that
even coming off the bench. We have girls scoring goals too,
(10:22):
So it's like defense, Like defenders can never rest with us,
and I think that's so important. They're always on the
toes because any single person that gets the ball is dangerous.
I mean, you think of the graces on the outside
with their crosses inside. You look at Michelle Moscow heading
the ball, being a ball winner, getting in on corners.
(10:43):
You think of Maddy camp to score two goals against
Jacksonville State, Like it's just like everywhere there's someone dangerous.
And I think that's just so important, and I think
that's why we've seen so much success.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
We were talking before we went live here to record
and recording this on Friday. For them was wondering exactly
the timeframes was just after the Murray State Murray State victory,
but we were talking here from Monroe, Ohio. Yeah, not
terribly far from where I'm from where I'm recording right
now here in beautiful Bellevue, Kentucky. You can share as
(11:16):
much as you want, it as little as you want.
But the transfer portal when you were when you were
exiting Illinois and deciding on your next destination. I think
basketball and football obviously get a whole lot of attention
with the portal, but I think people are aware that
it's it's in every sport. So what was that process
like for you and why Kentucky when you ultimately made
(11:36):
your decision.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Oh, it was terrifying. Oh my gosh, I've never been
so scared of my life. I was like, what if
I go in and like, no schools contact me because
you don't have a lot of information on the portal.
Before you go into the portal, you literally go to
your compliance officer, like they you watch like a two
minute video about the rules of the portal, and then
you sign a document saying you're like that's literally honest.
(12:00):
So it is absolutely terrifying, But I thought it was
the right thing. With Illinois. They taught me so much, right, Like,
I grew so much as a person. I mean, that's
why Alma Mater spent four years there, graduated from there,
so I have to give a lot of fakes and
a lot of credits to that's school for building me
to the person I have today. But I had felt
(12:20):
that I had learned everything I needed to learn from Illinois,
and I felt like it was time to like move on.
And so when I entered that portal, it was terrifying
because I was like, what if I'm making the wrong
choice here? Should I just stay take my faith or
do I even take my faith? Year? Like do I
move on? Like just so many like questions to be answered.
(12:41):
But I took leave with faith and went to the portal,
and it was very overwhelming. It's like recruiting all over again.
And I haven't been recruited for what I convinced Illinois
my software year of high school, so it was like
six years since I've been recruited, So it was really
nerve wracking. In this time, I didn't have a club
coach or you know, mom and dad to like do it,
(13:03):
because of course mom and dad help, but I'm I'm
an adult now, like I have to make my own decisions,
So they were super scary. But when I going on
to Kentucky, like I was like uh, like that's really
close to home. Like I wanted to be close to
home because my little sister's going to be a singer
in high school and that's super important to me. But
I was like, big, I'll stay in Ohio, you know,
(13:24):
like I'll stay in the Ohio school. And then Troy
reached out and I was like, I don't know if
I want to go to Kentucky, like I want to
stay in Ohio. And then my best friend was like
Mickayla like the least put on a phone call and
I called Troy and had a great conversation, like was
so good. He was like, come on a visit, and
I just fell in love with Lexington and I was
(13:47):
like this place is so awesome, like seeing the BBN
everywhere and Big Blue everywhere just to support that the
school gets. And then seeing the coaching staff and you know,
you have Troy, you have Yellin, a Dobby Steve, like
these are all completely like four different personality types. I
just like Mesh so well and they fill the gaps
(14:09):
where others like don't fill and it's just like I
was like this is I was on the plane back
to Illinois and I was like, you know what. I
was like, this is this is where I need to be, Like,
this is where I want to take my fifth year,
and literally got off the plane and like called tour
and I was like, hey, like I want to come here.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
So, yeah, we are certainly glad that you chose Kentucky
and to take that fifth year. And I appreciate your
honesty because I think a lot of people can relate
to that, whether it be a fellow athlete that's either
in the portal, or maybe a high schooler that might
be listening that's going through the recruiting process, or even
just a regular student I think can be a little
overwhelmed with the choices. I know it's different in terms of,
(14:48):
you know, not necessarily being recruited per se, but just
the overwhelming in that eighteen to twenty three year range
of life, whereas things are still forming and you're still
kind of learning about yourself to have to make those decisions.
I think it's incredibly honest, and I think that's very
blatable on your part.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Yeah, I mean it's a scary time. I think even
I could think back to when I was a software like,
I didn't why was I making decisions like that? As
a pop war I was fourteen years old. What do
you mean, so, like, you know, like there's so many
big decisions going on, and I think it's just following
your gut, and I think it's all it's okay to
make a wrong choice, and it's okay to make mistakes.
(15:27):
I think it's just important that you just grow and
you learn from it and you make the best of
your you know, the best of your choices. And not
to say I made the wrong choice to go Illinois.
I don't regret it at all. I think I would
not be the person I am today if it was
not for the University of Illinois. There's no doubt in
my mind about that. But I think being there making
that choice led me to Lexington. So I just think, like,
(15:52):
just stand on your choices, because it's always going to
bring you to where you need to be all the time.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
And I think it speaks to really the importance of
grad program and whether you're transferring before your grad year,
so to speak, or after which you have an undergraduate
degree from the University of Illinois. My last question for you,
I wanted to ask because I was fascinated when I
was reading your bio you're majoring in with your grad anyway,
and social theory. Tell us a little bit about that
(16:19):
because it sounds really interesting.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Oh it's so cool. So I was a political science
degree at Illinois with a minor in philosophy and psychology.
So I love theory, Like I just like could sit
and talk all day and like basically social everything can
be related to social theory. Social theory is just how
(16:41):
people think and how people were things like if you
look at like politics, you talk about the political theory
and like different ways and stuff like that, Like we
talk about human theory and like how the world started,
like what happens you talk about religion. So theory is
just all the like ifs maybe and and you just
(17:04):
get to sit there and just talk about it. And
it's so interesting because you get to see so many
different people's points of view because like everyone has their
own story, so everyone has a different viewpoint of the
same conversation, and it's just talking about it and just
like seeing where it goes and that if it ads
and human nature, And I just think that's so cool
and I find it so interesting.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
You're a polycide background myself. I was a poly PSI
minor and really so I've always kicked around the idea
of going back to get.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
The degree just for the heck of it.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
But well, we'll have to up to talk some poly
side at.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
Something at the bell. Absolutely after a match. I won't
bother you before.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
Yeah, absolutely, that'd be so cool.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
But Mikaela, thank you. So this was a wonderful conversation.
So I hope we can have you on later on
in the season. Maybe maybe we check in right before
postseason play, right before the SEC.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Turned on something.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Absolutely, we'll be there in Florida. I can't wait. It's
gonna be I love with good tournament in Florida.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
Mikaela, thank you so much for your time. Best of
luck on Sunday against UCLA and in the start of SEC.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Play, well, thank you so much. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
Mikayla instrumental in Kentucky's upset two to oh victory over
number nine UCLA on Sunday. She won a penalty kick
inside the eighteen, getting taken out by the keeper on
a move toward goal, and then she stepped up from
the spot to convert that pk and move back to
the lead for UK. Goals on the campaign. She made
it one nothing in favor of Kentucky. A little later on,
(18:34):
Catherine de Rosa doubled that lead. It was her first
goal since joining Kentucky from Maryland, so a pair of
transfers making a big, big impact in the Cats held
on for the two to victory over number nine UCLA.
It is now the best start for Kentucky women's soccer
in thirteen years. The poll just came out prior to
(18:55):
the start of our broadcast. Kentucky number twenty one in
the Coach Poll, number nine in the Top Drawer Soccer poll,
so some national love for Kentucky. And then Mars Josephson
tabbed as the SEC Defensive Player of the Week. The
Kentucky keeper, a grad transfer from North Carolina, her second
SEC Defensive Player of the Week award and she has
(19:18):
been phenomenal this year. She's only conceded one goal even
though she's played five hundred and seventy six minutes between
the pipes for Kentucky. Really exciting start for the Cats.
We mentioned the best since two thousand and eleven.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
The back action.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
On Friday, it'll be Senior Night against kent State A
seven thirty start on secn plus. In other Kentucky soccer action,
the men's team inside the top twenty five, they fell
Top twenty five rival Louisville on Monday night. Unfortunately, Louisville
got a very late goal at the brink and end
of the match to take the victory, knocking UK men's
(19:56):
soccer out of the top twenty five. Louisville also fall
out of the top twenty five after an unranked loss
earlier in last week, but nonetheless Kentucky still future for
this men's soccer program ahead. It will be back in
action against Lipsom this Saturday, lipscom in Nashville, the Cats
on the road. It'll be an eight o'clock kickoff. They'll
return to the Bell on Friday, September twentieth. Big congrats
(20:20):
in order for Kentucky women's golf. They took runner up
spot at the prestigious twenty twenty four Betty lou Evans Invitational,
finishing in just behind the events winner. TCU men's golf
in action right now as we speak, Jansen Preston carding
an even par on Tuesday, as Kentucky right now tied
for ninth at the Folds of Honor Collegiate event, and
(20:42):
finally an update on Kentucky volleyball. Volleyball a big week
ahead as Craig Skinner continues to challenge his squad with
a tough non con coming off the Kentucky Invitation, in
which Kentucky picked up a pair of Imprecivic and battled
number seven Penn State in a matchup of top twenty
five teams this Friday. Kentucky took the first two sets
before Penn State was able to rally in a thriller,
(21:05):
winning set three, twenty six, twenty four. Unfortunately for the Cats,
the Nitney Lions took the fourth and fifth sets as
well to win the match three to two. But Kentucky
did rebound on Saturday, sweeping away James Madison in straight sets,
and the Cats did the same against Ball State on Sunday,
winning three sets to none over the Cardinals to go
two and one on the year. Brooklyn Delay leading the
(21:28):
way on Sunday, the only Cat in double figures with
twelve kills. As head coach Craig Skinner got to use
a lot of that bench on both Saturday and Sunday.
Freshman Brooke Baltima eight kills. Freshman Kennedy Washington her best
match in a Kentucky uniform, although she's been playing very
well as of late, even before this breakout game against
ball State, she finished with eight kills and hit four
(21:50):
sixty two for the match, and Megan Wilson, the transfer
in from Oklahoma, she had seven kills round out that
key scoring attacks, so finished two to one at the
Kentucky Invitational. They aren't out to Dallas, Texas for a
tournament in which they'll play SMU on Friday and then
they could see another top ten foe in Purdue, or
(22:12):
they'll take on the University of Houston one or the other,
depending on how the match on Friday goes for the
Cats and obviously the match for Purdue or Houston which
precedes the Cats and SMU on Friday. Again, that's in Dallas, Texas.
That potential top ten matchup would occur on Saturday against
Purdue if the two teams were to face off. But
(22:33):
a big one coming up next Wednesday inside the renovated
Memorial Coliseum, Kentucky taking on Louisville and what will be
a battle between two top ten programs. Kentucky checking in
at number ten in the latest AVCA poll, Louisville number four.
Kentucky will host the Cardinals though inside Memorial Coliseum, the
Battle of the Bluegrass getting underway at seven pm. It'll
(22:57):
be a nationally televised contest on ES, but we'll also
have it for you live on the UK Sports Network.
We'll have first served right at seven across the UK
Sports Network. Really look forward to that one as well.
That'll do it for this episode of UK Sports Network Today.
A big, big thanks to Curtis and Michelle at the
network as always, and a huge thanks to MICHAELA. Woods
(23:19):
being so gracious with her time and being open about
not only her major. We learned a lot about what
she's studying as a grad transfer of Kentucky, but also
that transfer process one of our favorite conversations we've had.
Can't wait to check in with her and UK women's
soccer as the season wears on. But for everyone at
the UK Sports Network, I met her kappas saying thanks
for listening and we'll talk to you next time on
(23:41):
the UK Sports Network Today podcast
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