Aug. 17, 2012
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Kentucky got goals from freshman Caleb Richardson and junior Steven Perinovic to post a 2-2 tie in the lone exhibition game for the Wildcats to open the 2012 season, on a gorgeous Friday night in front of a standing-room only, school record 1,206 fans at NKU Soccer Stadium.
The Wildcats unofficially opened the Johan Cedergren era with the 2-2 tie in the one exhibition game of the season. UK faced the Norse in the scrimmage, as NKU transfers to NCAA Division I after a dominating run in NCAA Division II that cumulated in the 2010 National Championship.
The game was contested in front of an electric crowd at the three-year old NKU Soccer Stadium, with the 1,206 total attendance shattering the school-record and eclipsing the stadium capacity of 1,000.
UK took the lead in the 23rd minute, as the Wildcats forced their second corner kick of the game. Gabriel Conelian lofted the cross inside the six-yard box, with a leaping Perinovic heading the ball into the back of the net at the far post. In his two-year career as a defender, Perinovic, a native of Delafield, Wis., owns two assists and no goals. The assist would have been Conelian’s first career assist.
Northern Kentucky evened up the game in the 35th minute, as Yaw Addai played a ball just above the corner of the six-yard box at the near post. Mohammad Salhieh scooped up the ball in traffic and fired a low shot at the far post, with Irving’s diving save attempt just missing.
In the 45th minute with 31 seconds remaining in the first half, NKU took a 2-1 lead. The Norse formed an attack on the far side of the pitch, cumulating in Cian McDonlad’s flick over the UK defense, with Irving just missing a chance to save the shot as it sailed into the back of the net at the far post.
UK evened up the game in the 76th minute, as a long ball was played into the box by Kristoffer Tollesfsen and Dylan Asher. With the keeper coming out of the six-yard box to attempt to secure the ball, Richardson found the ball inside the box and finished the goal for the game-tying tally.
UK held a 13-4 advantage in shots in the game and a 5-2 mark in shots on goal. NKU made the only three saves in the game, with both teams firing four corner kicks. UK got a game-high four shots from Tollefsen, with Conelian also firing two shots.
Irving, the Kentucky starting goalkeeper, played the first half of the contest, before Jack Van Arsdale took over in the second frame. Neither keeper was forced to make a save in the contest
UK started several newcomers, including Irving, Dustin Scibilia, Isak Krogstad and Tollefsen. In addition, newcomers Jacob Speed, Richardson, Bryan Celis and Dylan Murphy saw action.
