Men's Soccer

LEXINGTON ? When the Kentucky soccer team reports to camp this week, it will almost be like a mini-camp for the Canadian National Soccer Team.

Three Wildcats, sophomores Nathan Li and Riley O?Neill, the 2003 Mid-America Conference Newcomer of the Year, and incoming freshman Michael D?Agostino, spent the summer starring for their respective Canadian National Teams.

Li, a native of Delta, British Columbia, and O?Neill, a Campbell River, British Columbia, native, were selected to play for the Canadian Youth (U-20) National Team and the pair did not disappoint.

In five outings, the duo helped their team to an undefeated mark at 2-0-3 and were directly responsible for both wins. Li got the wins started by assisting on a goal by Dylan Hughes that lifted Canada to a 1-0 win over Turkey in the second meeting of the two teams.

After the team headed to training camp in Florida, O?Neill went to work. He scored goals in the 4th and 55th minutes to carry Canada to a 2-1 win over Jamaica.

Following a scoreless draw with Jamaica, O?Neill netted Canada?s lone goal in a 1-1 draw with Haiti that wrapped up the tour.

D?Agostino spent his summer training with the Canadian Junior (U-17) Development Team. He scored in the second half of the first game against the United States to give his Canadian team a 2-1 lead, only to see the lead slip away in a 3-2 loss.

The Canadian trio will lead Kentucky into its action on Friday when the Wildcats travel to Fort Wayne, Ind., for an exhibition against Michigan State. The game, part of the IPFW/adidas Classic, is slated for 7 p.m. ET.

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