Sept. 7, 2001
LEXINGTON, Ky. – In front of the second-largest crowd in University of Kentucky men’s soccer history, the Cats took No. 13 Ohio State to double overtime and secured a 2-2 tie on Friday, Sept. 7. UK improves to 1-1-1, while the Buckeyes stand at 2-0-1.
UK junior John Monebrake, the 1998 Big Ten Freshman of theYear, faced his former team for the first time and responded by finding the net with just 3:30 left in regulation to knot the game at two bringing the crowd of 2,167 to their feet. Fellow UK newcomers Jamal Shteiwi and Chael Soler contributed assists on the goal. The contest remained tied through two extra periods.
“I am just happy we tied,” Monebrake said. “I would have liked to win, but this was a good result. The goal felt really good. I’m proud of the way we battled.”
A battle it was. The Cats held a 7-5 shot advantage, while both teams took four corner kicks. The game moved from one end of the field to the other all evening as neither team could maintain possession for long. However, when near the goal in the second half, the teams responded.
After a scoreless first half, the Buckeyes came out of the locker room with a renewed fire. Tony Earp blasted a shot from about 35 yards out into the upper right corner just beyond the fingertips of UK goalkeeper Brad Samelko in the 48th minute.
About 12 minutes later, the Cats attacked, this time with the defense getting in on the action. Midfielder Chris McAlpine headed in the tying goal at the 59:14 mark off assists by defenders Ilkka Jantti and J.D. Stephenson.
In the 72nd minute, OSU reclaimed the lead on a goal by Sammy Tamporello, but Monebrake set the final score with little time left in regulation.
“This was a tough, well-fought match,” Coach Ian Collins said. “We gave them two soft goals, but it was good that we were able to come back. Both teams gave the ball away a lot, but the boys battled hard. We will just build on this as we prepare for Sunday.”
UK next welcomes UNC Asheville to the UK Soccer Complex on Sunday, Sept. 9, for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
12OTOTFUK02002OSU02002
Attendence: 2,167
Scoring: Kentucky – Chris McAlpine (Ilkka Jantti, J.D. Stephenson) 59:14, John Monebrake (Jamal Shteiwi, Chael Soler) 86:30, Ohio State – Tony Earp (John Tomaino, Andy Rosenband) 47:49, Sammy Tamporello (Andy Rosenband, Jake Traeger) 71:52
Shots: Kentucky 7, Ohio State 5
Goalkeeper Saves: Kentucky – Brad Samelko 3, Ohio State – Kerry Thompson 0, Chad Brown 0
Corner Kicks: Kentucky 4, Ohio State 4
