Aug. 14, 2003
UKAthletics.com continues its three day preview of the 2003 men’s soccer team, which opens its regular season Sept. 2, at home against Louisville at the UK Soccer Complex. Today we take a look at the midfielder position.
Midfielders
Junior Jamal Shteiwi, who led Kentucky with 7 goals and 15 points last season, will attempt to find the net even more often than he did last season. Shteiwi started in 16 of 19 contests last season and became the 11th player in UK history to score at least one goal in three consecutive games. Shteiwi received third-team National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Great Lakes honors and first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in 2002.
“Jamal is one of our prime-time players,” says Coach Ian Collins. “He should push for All-America honors this season.”
In addition to Shteiwi, the Cats welcome the return of two outstanding players who were unable to play much of last season, junior Olli Lehtimaki and sophomore Joey Gaworecki. Lehtimaki missed the majority of last season due to injury. However, many Wildcat faithful may remember the Hamennlinna, Finland native from two seasons ago. In 2001, Lehtimaki started 20 of 21 games, scoring three goals and recording three assists as UK won the MAC regular season and tournament championships. The Cats also advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament that season. Gaworecki did not play at all in 2002 after appearing in 14 matches as a freshman.
“It is good to have Olli back healthy,” Collins said. “We are also very happy to have Joey back in the program. He should be one of our offensive leaders.”
UK will also have the services of two redshirt freshmen, Nikolas Moreno and Lucas Grayson. Both will experience their first taste of action as Wildcats after sitting out last season to physically mature and to learn the system.
Coach Collins is excited to welcome a trio of excellent newcomers to the midfield mix this season. Juniors Peter McLellan and Richard Morton, two transfers from Iowa Central Community College, and Nathan Li, a freshman from Delta, British Columbia, have the potential to battle for starting positions. McLellan was Iowa Central’s MVP in 2001 and Morton received the honor in 2002. Both McLellan and Morton bring experience and skill that will be greatly appreciated by UK fans.
Li comes to Kentucky as a highly-touted Canadian recruit who has considerable international soccer experience. He played on the Canadian National U-16 and U-18 teams that traveled to England, Ireland and Cuba and this year he played for the Canadian National U-20 team.
“Nathan will make an immediate impact in our program,” Collins said. “His international experience should help him adjust to the college game right away.”
Other newcomers in the UK midfield include transfers J.R. Kenny (Alabama-Birmingham) and Chris Lefferts (Hofstra) as well as freshmen Matt McAlpine, Chris Okamura, Brett Smith and Jibran Shteiwi, the younger brother of Jamal Shteiwi.
