HUNTINGDON, W.Va. – Despite a dominating 110 minutes of play in adverse conditions, the 17th-ranked Kentucky soccer team settled for a 1-1 tie against Conference USA rival Marshall on Wednesday night at Sam Hood Field.
The Wildcats (9-4-2, 2-2-1 C-USA) fired 30 shots – the second most in school history – set a school record with 17 corner kicks, and hit the post three times in as dominating performance from a side as you will ever see without a victory. The effort came on a pitch that, at best, would be described as a thick mud and, at worst, downright soggy and sloppy.
Kentucky’s defenders did a tremendous job all game of winning 50-50s while the midfield and strikers flew forward for balls over the top. Michael Strong, Adam Midkiff, Brad Frederick and Michael D’Agostino were consistently behind the Thundering Herd back four, leaving them in the mud while serving in a never-ending array of crosses. The speedy quartet combined for 15 of the Wildcats’ 30 shots.
In the first half, UK put on a clinic. The Wildcats had 17 shots to just two for Marshall and won nine corners. However, the three best chances were all foiled by the woodwork. Barry Rice had the first in the 20th minute as he cracked a shot from 20 yards on the right side that hit flush on the crossbar.
Late in the half, Frederick hit the crossbar and the left post in the span of 90 seconds. On the first, he took a bouncing ball in the box, booted it down and it bounced up off the crossbar. Moments later, he one-timed a cross from the six-yard box that glanced off the far post.
Despite UK’s utter domination, the game was scoreless at the break.
In the second half, Marshall’s only shot on goal of regulation came in the 61st minute when Brandon Lacko header found the back of the net. It was his first goal of the year. The ball came in on a long throw and was headed to Kolby Lacrone inside the right side of the 18. He kept it alive with a header directed towards the six-yard box, which keeper Dan Williams deflected upward. However, the ball floated towards the back post where an unmarked Lacko put the header into an open net.
After the goal, Kentucky’s pressure was relentless until the final whistle blew. In the final 50 minutes, the Wildcats had 11 shots and six offside calls, including a controversial one that might have cost UK the victory.
Kentucky evened the match in the 75th minute on a great effort by Strong. As he had all night, he got behind the defense and won the ball in the box only to be taken down from behind. D’Agostino calmly buried the ensuing penalty kick to knot the match at 1-1.
Just 49 seconds later, Strong appeared to have given the Wildcats the lead. On a free kick by D’Agostino from the left sideline, Nathan Marks headed down the ball at the back post. It bounced right to Strong who beat a defender and goalkeeper Brad Kennedy at point-blank range. Despite a defender being between Strong and the goal, and Marks taking the header off a free kick, the linesman raised the flag for offside, waiving off what would have been the game-winner.
A brilliant 50-yard run through the middle by Strong in the 83rd minute created another chance for UK after he was taken down 30-yards out. D’Agostino bent a great shot on goal on the free kick, but Kennedy ranged to the left upper 90 to make one of his seven saves.
In the 109th minute, Strong nearly won it again. In his usual position of battling for a ball with the last Herd defender, he won it, but Kennedy came off his line and got just enough of Strong’s attempt to dribble around him to the left to clear.
The play was the last in a long-line of great chances for UK that went just by the wayside.
Kentucky returns to action on Saturday at home when it faces Florida International. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the UK Soccer Complex.
