No. 3 Ohio State Earns 4-1 Road Win at Kentucky

Tuesday, September 8

Lexington, KY

7:30 p.m.

Ohio State

5-0-0, 0-0-0

University of Kentucky

0-3-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Ohio St.	2	2	4
Kentucky	0	1	1

Photo by: Ohio State Athletics

No. 3 Ohio State Earns 4-1 Road Win at Kentucky

9/8/2026 10:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

Buckeyes remain on the road, open Big Ten play at No. 8 Wisconsin Friday

COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 3 Ohio State (5-0-0) scored twice early and finished off Kentucky (0-3-2) to remain undefeated Tuesday with a 4-1 win in Lexington at the Bell Soccer Complex.

Before the Wildcats scored in the second half, the Buckeyes had not allowed a goal this season for the first 415 minutes of game action and shut out their first four opponents of the year for the first time in program history.

Sophomore Nyle Waugh got the Buckeyes started in the 15' with a header off an assist from Andre Roberts. Waugh tucked it away in the left upper corner for his third goal of the season and fourth of his career. Roberts has a pair of assists this season and six for his career.

Here is a look at the Nyle Waugh goal for the 1-0 lead. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/mUenMrykQA
— Ohio State Men's Soccer (@OhioStateMSOC) September 9, 2026

Martin Wurschmidt made it 2-0 Buckeyes after he converted with a header from a corner kick delivery from Jack Wayne in the 20'. Wurschmidt has two scores as a Buckeye and seven for his career. The assist was the third of the season for Wayne.

Check out the first half Wurschmidt goal that made it 2-0 Buckeyes. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/BWa4eG1Qa0
— Ohio State Men's Soccer (@OhioStateMSOC) September 9, 2026

Ryan Hannosh got a breakaway in the 37' after a long lead pass from keeper Patrick McLaughlin. Hannosh was then taken down by Kentucky keeper Benjamin Rasmussen outside the box. Rasmussen was issued a red card on the play. He was replaced by keeper Dillon Griner for the remainder of the match. The Wildcats played a player down for the remainder of the game.
Ohio State has had an opponent draw a red card in three of the last four matches.
Kentucky scored in the 55' on a goal by Costa Illiadis. The score was the first against the Buckeyes this season, ending 415 minutes without a goal scored against the Buckeyes on the year.
The Wildcats were given a second red card in the 64' when Thomas Nielsen was issued his second yellow. He fouled Hannosh which put the Wildcats down two players for the final 26 minutes.
Martin McLaughlin scored his first career goal in the 77' with Josue Youta getting the assist. Youta then added a goal in the 83' with Ryan Hannosh credited with the assist. The scores made it 4-1 Buckeyes.

Here is a look at Martin McLaughlin's first career goal that made it 3-1 Buckeyes. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/bhCL2tHIe4
— Ohio State Men's Soccer (@OhioStateMSOC) September 9, 2026

For Youta it was his first career goal and third assist on the year. It was the first assist as a Buckeye for Hannosh.
Earlier in the day, Ohio State moved to No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches weekly poll. It's highest ranking since the Buckeyes opened the 2025 season at No. 3 in the preseason poll.
Also, Elijah Bishop was tabbed the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following Ohio State's 5-0 win over Northern Kentucky Sept. 3. Ohio State's defense, which had not allowed a goal over the first four games of the season, held the Norse to just five total shots.
The last Ohio State team to start 5-0 was the 1986 team with a 5-0 start. The 1977 squad opened the year 7-0.
Against Kentucky, Ohio State is 10-6-4 all-time in the series.
Patrick McLaughlin got the start for the Buckeyes in goal. He improved to 10-2-2 in his 14th career start.

Up Next
No. 3 Ohio State travels to open Big Ten Conference play at No. 8 Wisconsin (5-0) Friday (8 p.m./B1G+) in Madison.

#GoBucks