In a battle of epic proportions, Mid-American Conference heavyweights Kentucky and Akron needed two overtimes before MAC Player of the Year Ilkka Jantti gave the Wildcats the MAC Soccer Tournament Championship with the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the UK Soccer Complex. The win gives UK its third straight tourney title and NCAA Tournament automatic berth.
“I am so proud of our players,” Coach Ian Collins said. “A lot of things didn’t go quite like we wanted them to tonight, but we did what we meant to do and that is win the MAC title for the third time. How fitting that the MAC Player of the Year gives it to us.”
With a third overtime looming, Jantti headed a Nathan Fleetwood corner kick past UA goalkeeper Kyle Milligan at the 113:56 mark. An All-America candidate, Jantti found his way through the crowd in front of the Zips’ goal and put himself in perfect position to knock Fleetwood’s assist into the net.
The match was evenly played in nearly every aspect, as both teams fought for possession the entire night. Akron (10-6-1) outshot the Cats (13-5-1) 13-10 and gave UK just one shot in the extra periods, but it was a shot that counted.
Cats’ goalkeeper Greg Raber made two key saves, tipping one ball over the net and snaring one shy of the goal line to collect his ninth victory of the season and sixth shutout. The shutout also was the fifth straight 1-0 decision for UK in MAC Tournament play.
UK won its 13th game of the season. The last time the Cats tallied that many wins was in 1999 when they claimed their first MAC title and NCAA berth. The triumph also brings to 11 the number of consecutive games Kentucky has won against MAC opposition.
The Cats now await word from the NCAA on their position in the upcoming tournament. The NCAA Selection Show will air on Monday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. to announce pairings which begin on Friday, Nov. 23.
2001 MAC All-Tournament Team
Ilkka Jantti – Kentucky
Marc Theriault – Kentucky
Chris McAlpine – Kentucky
Chris McDaniel – Kentucky
Cameron Knowles – Akron
Pat Beattie – Akron
Kyle Milligan – Akron
Chris Varnado – Marshall
Brent Sobczak – Marshall
Detrick Matthews – Bowling Green
Tony Malik – Bowling Green
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Attendance: 1,737
Scoring: Kentucky – Ilkka Jantti (Nathan Fleetwood) 113:56, Akron – none
Shots: Kentucky 10, Akron 13
Corner Kicks: Kentucky 6, Akron 9
Goalkeeper Saves: Kentucky – Greg Raber 2, Akron – Kyle Milligan 2
