LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky men?s soccer team got three goals and some great team defensive work to gain a 3-0 result against UNC-Asheville on Sunday afternoon at the UK Soccer Complex. The Wildcats rebounded from a season-opening 1-0 loss to Cornell on Friday night in the annual UK Invitational, holding the Bulldogs to only one shot.
Kentucky put early pressure on the offensive side of the ball as freshman Tyler Burns? attempt on goal hit the post in the matches first minute, setting the tone early.
The Wildcats (1-1), outshot UNC-Ashville 11-1, with nine coming in the second half. The team was able to make some halftime adjustments to attack more offensively, while still maintaining its strong defensive alignment.
Kentucky?s first goal came in the 58th minute on a corner kick from the left side off the foot of Masumi Turnbull to the head of sophomore defender Barry Rice. It was a beautifully placed ball to the six-yard box, where Rice was able to direct it to the upper right corner of the goal, narrowly missing the post to squeak into the net.
The second goal occurred in the 64th minute when Mark Halma picked up a loose ball from about 40 yards out, was able to find his way around a defender for enough separation for a searching cross that found senior Aaron Swanson on a one-timer past the goalie in the lower left of the goal. It was the first career goal for Swanson as a Wildcat, as the transfer came off the bench to provide the offensive spark lacking the team in their previous match.
Swanson?s second goal of the match, and final tally for UK, came in the 74th minute when off a rebound he was able to get good position in front of a Bulldog defender to skip one off the goalie and into the lower left of the net. His opportunity for a hat-trick failed when in the 90th minute, a breakaway attempt on goal was deflected out by UNC-Asheville goalie Phillip Horner.
UK goalkeeper Dan Williams produced his sixth-career shutout, coming up with just one save against the only shot UNC-Asheville was able to get off.
With the victory, the Wildcats moved to 9-0 all-time versus the Bulldogs, and earned their second consecutive shutout against them. As for head coach Ian Collins, his team solidified his 150th career victory at UK, in this being his 16th year.
Kentucky returns to action on Thursday with a matchup with state rival Louisville. Kickoff at the UK Soccer Complex is set for 7 p.m. ET.
University of Kentucky Invitational All-Tournament Team Matt Bouraee Cornell Brian Kuritzky Cornell Aaron Vieira Cornell Joe Yonga Cornell Aaron Swanson Kentucky Barry Rice Kentucky Nathan Marks Kentucky Scott Szymanski UNC-Asheville Alex Morrow UNC-Asheville Wes Hawkins IUPUI Nathan Ohmer IUPUI
