LEXINGTON, KY ? The Kentucky women?s soccer team might need a map to get to the field this weekend when they host the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide in crucial SEC matches.
The Wildcats (5-4-1, 0-1-0) have not played at the UK Soccer Complex since a 1-0 victory over Michigan on September 10. Since that time, UK has played as far north as Madison, Wisconsin and as far south as Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Kentucky comes into the weekend off a heartbreaking 3-2 loss at LSU last Sunday after having been weathered out of their Friday night match at Arkansas. Both Auburn (6-3-0, 0-2-0) and Alabama (4-6-0, 0-2-0) also went winless in the opening weekend of conference play. Auburn dropped matches to Florida (3-1) and South Carolina (1-0), while Bama lost to the same foes, losing to South Carolina, 2-0 and Florida, 4-1.
The Wildcats lead the all-time series with Auburn 6-5-1. The series has been one of streaks with each team alternating wins in the first four matches. UK then went on a four-match winning streak before the two schools played to a 1-1 draw in 2003. The Tigers have won the last three matches in the series including a 2-0 victory in the SEC Tournament last season in Orange Beach, Alabama.
The Wildcats and the Crimson Tide face off on Sunday, in a match between two of the longest tenured coaches in the SEC. UK?s Warren Lipka has been the head coach at Kentucky since the inception of the program in 1992 and since the SEC began sponsoring soccer in 1993. Alabama head coach Don Staley has also been the only head coach at Alabama which began its soccer program in 1994. The two coaches are the only ones left from the ?old school?. With the two representatives of the old guard facing off, what better back drop for Lipka to coach in his 300th career match.
Kentucky leads the series with Alabama 6-2-1 and is currently on a five-match unbeaten streak against the Tide. The Cats had a four-game winning streak going before the two teams played to a 1-1 tie last season in Tuscaloosa.
Freshman Giuleana Lopez leads the Wildcats offensively with 13 points on five goals and three assists. She has also taken a team high 23 shots. Senior keeper Anne Ogundele anchors the UK defense with an SEC best 42 saves and five shutouts while also logging a 0.76 goals-against-average good for fourth best in the conference.
The Wildcats and Tiger kickoff on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET while Sunday?s match against Alabama is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. The match will be part of a soccer doubleheader at the UK Soccer Complex. The women play at 12:00 p.m. followed by the UK men?s team at 2:30 p.m. against South Carolina. Live stats will be available at www.ukathletics.com.
Fans in attendance at Friday night?s match can bring a non-perishable item and receive $2 off the price of admission.
