LEXINGTON ? The Kentucky soccer team ranked 21st in the nation in 2005 in attendance, averaging more than 1,000 fans over its nine-game home season.

The Wildcats average attendance rose by 50 percent and UK jumped 16 spots from its 2004 ranking of 37th. It was the first time in school history Kentucky averaged more than 1,000 fans.

The total attendance was boosted by UK drawing a school-record 3,327 fans, who watched as the Wildcats beat rival Louisville 1-0 in the season opener. The second largest crowd of the year came when nearly 1,500 watched UK beat Georgetown.

Kentucky?s season average of 1.002 was the highest in Conference USA, easily besting SMU, which ranked 46th nationally. The Mustangs averaged 615 fans per game.

The crowds helped UK to a stellar 5-2-2 record at home, including a win over No. 25 Tulsa.