The following is the final of a three-part series previewing the 2007 Kentucky men?s soccer team, leading up to the season-opening UK Invitational on Friday. The focus in today?s feature is on the defense
As always with an Ian Collins coached team, this year?s defense should be both physically and mentally tough, with extreme athleticism. Kentucky returns the key members of a defense that ranked 23rd nationally last season with a 0.78 goals-against average.
?Our defenders, you look at Barry Rice and Andrew Alexander, those are two that started at the end of last year,? Collins said. ?Nathan Marks has also really turned into a great player. Another member of that group, Matt Weiler started for us last year and is one of the best ball winners on the team and a physically tough defender. We have a pretty talented group of sophomores that will anchor the defense.?
With the impact that Andrew Alexander, Barry Rice, Matt Weiler, and Nathan Marks had on the 2006 group, the sky may be the limit as to the results the back-line produces. The trio of sophomore’s including Alexander, Rice, and Weiler, all distinguished themselves as top-notch defenders, earning starting nods in the C-USA Championship game, a remarkable feat for then freshmen.
Marks, a prodcut from Trinity, honed his skills enough last season to be recognized as the Conference USA preseason Defensive Player of the Year, after seeing action in 19 matches, 17 of which were starts. Alexander saw action in 20 games and Rice started all 21 games for UK, netting one goal and delivering five assists.
While the returnees will likely anchor the defense, Collins sees the addition of Providence transfer Issam Sawtarie, who delivered one assist while playing the back line for the Friars, as a key ingredient in the UK defensive machine.
?We picked up a talented player Issam Sawtarie ? a transfer from Providence,? Collins said. ?He started 18 games for Providence last year and was in the NCAA Tournament. He is a great pick up and probably one of the fastest players in Conference USA. I expect him to come in and have an impact as well. He will fit in very good with the back line.?
Whoever plays goalie for the Wildcats this season, coach Ian Collins should feel comfortable in getting the results he is looking for. Kentucky has a wealth of talent at the position as the team returns two stellar keepers in Dan Williams and Matt Troop, to go along with tremendous depth.
?Dan Williams started the majority of last season before he got hurt and Matt Troop stepped in and played unbelievably well,? Collins said. ?Troop is quick, he is agile, and he knows the position. Both are good goalkeepers and they have both proven that they can get it done at this level. Both obviously won a lot of games and I will feel real comfortable with either in goal.
?At the back, we should be solid with two very good goalkeepers in Dan Williams and Matt Troop,? Collins said. ?We have a good defense returning – we only gave up 17 goals all season. Both goalkeepers have proven that they can play effectively at this level.?
Williams got the starting nod at the beginning of the year, tabbed as the replacement to former UK standout and current MLS Columbus Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum. Williams, a physical 6-foot-2 goalkeeper from Fairfax Station, Va., started 14 games early in the season, allowing just 12 goals in 129 shots faced. Williams totaled a 0.84 goals against average, saving 37 shots, shutting out five opponents, and posting a 7-4-2 record.
Troop came to UK by way of Peachtree City, Ga., as a highly-touted goalkeeper. With Williams suffering an injury, Troop seized the opportunity, starting nine games, accumulating a 6-1 record with two shutouts, in 1285 total minutes. Troop, who played his first season at Dayton before transferring to UK, worked 666 minutes, allowing only five goals and saving 24 shots.
