LEXINGTON, Ky. — After posting a pair of wins on opening weekend, including a 2-1 comeback victory over No. 9 Michigan, the Kentucky men’s soccer team has moved up to No. 21 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association top-25, released Tuesday afternoon.
Kentucky (2-0-0) bounced into the top-25 in the latest NSCAA poll, also moving to No. 29 in the College Soccer News top-30, released on Sunday night.
The Wildcats advanced in the polls courtesy of a pair of wins, including a 2-0 result over Dayton in the season lidlifter on Friday night. In a match-up with Michigan on Sunday, UK fell into an early 1-0 hole in the second half, before mounting a furious rally that included 13 shots. Sophomore Tyler Riggs came off the bench in both UK wins to net three goals, including both second-half goals in the upset win over Michigan.
UK has been led offensively by Riggs through the first two games, netting three goals on six shots, including five shots on goal. C.J. Tappel netted a goal and added an assist in the season opener, with Charles Pettys assisting on both goals in the Dayton win. In goal, Tyler Beadle has saved four shots in two games, allowing only one goal for a 0.50 goals-against average.
UK will return to action on Friday, hosting the 10th annual University of Kentucky Invitational at the UK Soccer Complex. Evansville and IUPUI will open the field at 5 p.m. ET, before the Wildcats square off with Wright State at 7:30 p.m. ET. On Sunday, Evansville will face Wright State at 12 p.m. ET, with UK hosting IUPUI at 2:30 p.m. ET.
NSCAA Top-25
1. Louisville
2. Akron
3. North Carolina
4. Maryland
5. Connecticut
6. Creighton
7. California
8. William & Mary
9. UC Santa Barbara
10. Notre Dame
11. Brown
12. West Virginia
13. UCLA
14. UC Irvine
15. Penn State
16. Boston College
17. SMU
18. Indiana
19. Central Florida
20. South Florida
21. Kentucky
22. Dartmouth
23. Ohio State
24. North Carolina-Greensboro
25. Monmouth
Also receiving votes: Princeton 30, UMBC 29, Bradley 25, UAB 25, SIU-Edwardsville 22, South Carolina 20, College of Charleston 20, Virginia Commonwealth 20, Duke 19, Virginia 16, Portland 16, Santa Clara 16, Georgetown 15, American 15, St. Mary’s (Calif.) 15, Charlotte 13, Northern Illinois 8, Old Dominion 7, Washington 7, New Mexico 6, Sacramento State 6, Michigan State 5, Wake Forest 3, Colgate 3, Drake 3, Northeastern 1, Cincinnati 1, Cal State Bakersfield 1.
College Soccer News Top-30
1. Louisville
2. North Carolina
3. Akron
4. UCLA
5. Creighton
6. Connecticut
7. Maryland
8. UC Santa Barbara
9. SMU
10. Brown
11. California
12. Notre Dame
13. Boston College
14. West Virginia
15. William and Mary
16. Indiana
17. Virginia
18. Penn State
19. UNC Greensboro
20. Ohio State
21. South Florida
22. Duke
23. Charlotte
24. Monmouth
25. LMU
26. Old Dominion
27. Central Florida
28. Michigan State
29. Kentucky
30. Denver
Others Receiving Votes: College of Charleston, Santa Clara, Penn, Georgetown, Furman, Wake Forest, Bradley, UC Irvine, Sacramento State, Princeton, Dartmouth, UMBC, High Point, South Carolina, FGCU.
