Aug. 30, 2010

LEXINGTON, KY – UK senior goalkeeper Sydney Hiance has been named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday.

Hiance, a native of Ft. Thomas, Ky., posted her 16th career shutout Friday night in helping lead the Wildcats to a 2-0 win over Indiana. She recorded eight saves in the victory and lowered her career goals against average to (GAA) to 1.23.

“Syd worked extremely hard over the summer and dedicated herself to being prepared for her senior year,” said UK assistant coach Aaron Rodgers, who trains the goalkeepers. “She has embraced the style of play that we teach and is playing as well as she has since this staff has been at UK.”

Hiance has a 0.00 GAA so far this season, tied for first in the SEC and she is now only four saves shy of her 200th career save.

The award is the fifth of her collegiate career which is the most for any Wildcat in school history. It’s the first for the Kentucky this season and the 18th time a UK player has received any sort of SEC player of the week honor.

Kentucky hits the road this weekend for its first road test of the season. The Wildcats travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. to take on the 16th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies and 10th ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons.