LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Wildcats men's soccer team opened conference play with a 1-0 loss to Marshall on Saturday night at the Bell Soccer Complex, according to UK Athletics.

The Wildcats (0-4-2, 0-1-0 Sun Belt Conference) were without starting goalkeeper Benjamin Rasmussen and forward Thomas Nielsen due to disciplinary action from a previous match against Ohio State. Veteran midfielder Agustin Lopez returned to the starting lineup after missing the team's first four games due to injury.

Following a one-hour weather delay, Kentucky generated three shots in the opening four minutes but failed to capitalize on the early offensive opportunities. The first half remained scoreless, with neither team finding the back of the net before intermission.

Marshall (3-1-2, 1-0-0 SBC) broke through in the 59th minute when forward Joshua Nugent scored his third goal of the season, beating three Wildcat defenders on a breakaway to give the Thundering Herd a 1-0 advantage.

Kentucky goalkeeper Gilles Monti kept the deficit manageable with four saves, including two spectacular efforts in the 72nd and 77th minutes to deny Nugent and preserve the one-goal margin. Despite close-range chances for defenders Cianole Nguepissi and forward Bains Smith in the second half, the Wildcats could not find an equalizer. Forward Michael Lee had the final opportunity in the 90th minute with a headed attempt from inside the penalty box, but Marshall held on for the victory.

The Wildcats travel to Nashville on Tuesday to face Lipscomb before returning to conference play at UCF in Orlando on September 27. All Kentucky home soccer matches offer free admission to the public.