Sept. 12, 2010
UK-Marshall Boxscore (.pdf)
|
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The UK women’s soccer team (4-2-0) got back on the winning track Sunday, earning a 1-0 decision over the Marshall Thundering Herd in the first of five straight games at the UK Soccer Complex.
After a lackadaisical first half, the UK offense struck for 10 shots, seven on goal, in the second half, and sophomore Alyssa Telang netted her first career goal en route to the 1-0 decision.
“In the first half, quite honestly, we were just outworked,” UK head coach Jon Lipsitz said. “We played against a team that was all business, and they outworked us. Our halftime adjustment was we had to fight harder, and get the ball in behind them, and get better angles.”
The first 45 minutes was a defensive lover’s dream as both teams were only able to get off five shots each. While Marshall (2-3-2) managed three shots on goal to Kentucky’s two, neither goalie was truly tested.
The Wildcats finally drew first blood in the 53rd minute off Telang’s milestone goal. Kacie Kumar was on the attack for the Cats and pushed the ball ahead to Taylor Parker. Parker beat a defender and crossed a ball to Telang, who settled it and fired a shot just inside the near post for the score and a 1-0 UK lead.
UK goalie Sydney Hiance posted four saves and recorded her 17th career shutout, moving her to within two of third place on UK’s all-time shutout list.
Kentucky outshot Marshall 15-9, including a 10-4 advantage in the second half. The UK defense also clamped down tight on the Thundering Herd as Hiance was never in any sort of danger. The UK senior goalie made a nice punch out on a Marshall corner kick late in the game, but any other scoring threat was directed right at her.
Perhaps, most importantly, the win snapped a small two-game losing streak for UK.
“Well, we played three top-20 teams in a row, and I think we played extremely well,” Lipsitz said. “We had some great chances, but we have not been finishing well. Today we played Marshall, and I thought they were tremendously well organized, and well coached. They made it a game, and it was difficult for us to get in behind them. Sometimes your initial strategy doesn’t work. Sometimes the games don’t always go the way you want. A win is a great thing, and it is important that we got back on track.”
The Wildcats continue their five-game home stand on Wednesday, hosting the Evansville Purple Aces. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 7 p.m.
