LEXINGTON, Ky. — A penalty kick was the difference Monday night at Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex as the Bellarmine University men's soccer team battled valiantly before falling 1-0 to Kentucky.

The lone goal of the contest between in-state foes Bellarmine (0-1-1) and Kentucky (2-0) came in the 65th minute after the Knights were whistled for a foul in the box, and the Wildcats' Joaquin Brizuela capitalized on the ensuing penalty kick.

Through two matches, Bellarmine's defense has yet to concede a goal of any type except for a PK, with Evansville also hitting one in a 1-1 draw in the season opener. The Knights dug in early against the Wildcats, allowing only three shots in the first half.

The gritty effort carried over into the second half, but Bellarmine struggled to muster chances offensively. Kentucky finished with a 13-2 advantage in shots, including 6-1 on frame.

Redshirt senior Peter Van Euwen collected five saves in goal for Bellarmine, which will welcome Xavier at 7 p.m. (ET) Saturday in its home opener.

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