Logan Dorsey and Iker Carew Score to Bring Victory Back to the Bluegrass
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kentucky men’s soccer (2-2-4, 1-0-2 Sun Belt) came out on top at the Eugene E. Stone III Stadium with a 2-0 victory over RV South Carolina (6-2-2, 1-2 Sun Belt).
Senior Logan Dorsey scored early in the match, assisted by Eric Onos, to get the Wildcats on the scoreboard. Shortly after, junior Iker Carew scored the second Wildcat goal, assisted by Dorsey and Onos. Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Ryan Jack, earned his third consecutive clean sheet shutting out the Gamecocks with five saves including an 89th minute penalty kick denial.
Early in the first half, the Wildcats found themselves with scoring potential from a corner kick, taken by Onos, in the 16th minute. The unsuccessful set piece was granted a redo as Kentucky earned the opportunity for another corner kick. This time, the Cats found success as Onos’ corner connected with Dorsey’s head for the first Big Blue goal of the match. Dorsey’s goal was his second recorded this season while Onos’ assist was his first.
With a 1-0 advantage over the Gamecocks, the Wildcats found themselves in position again to put their set piece to the test. Another corner kick in the 21’ from Onos connected with Dorsey who sent the ball behind his back from his right foot. Newcomer Carew took advantage of the shot opportunity to score his first career goal as a Wildcat. His right-footed strike gave UK a 2-0 lead heading into the halftime period. Onos’ assist was his second of the night and of his freshman season.
As the halftime period expired, it was time to battle for the final 45 minutes of regulation. The majority of Jack’s saves in the goal came from the second half of the contest. He denied two back-to-back scoring attempts from the Gamecocks in the 53rd and 55th minutes. It wasn’t until the 89’ that he recorded his fifth and final save as South Carolina set up for a penalty kick. With a shot and a stop, Jack sealed the deal for the Wildcats locking in the 2-0 score as time officially ran out. His junior season record in goal improved to 1-0-2 following the contest.
Since both universities are the only two in the Southeastern Conference to sponsor men’s soccer, the annual match has been historically dubbed the unofficial SEC Men’s Soccer Championship. Kentucky’s victory brought the theoretical trophy back to the Bluegrass State improving the all-time series record to 12-8-4 (UK). The first match between UK and USC took place in 1991.
The Wildcats will now set their sights on Tuesday as they prepare to take on Indiana at 7 p.m. EST in enemy territory.
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