Box Score
ST. LOUIS (Nov. 18, 2000) — After playing scoreless through four overtime periods, the unseeded and unranked University ofKentucky men’s soccer team defeated No. 9 Saint Louis on penalty kicks, 4-2 on . Senior goalkeeper Brian O’Learyblocked two Billiken PKs to send the Cats to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time inschool history. For statistical purposes, the game is considered a tie.

“This is such a big win for us,” head coach Ian Collins said. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of my guys.Every one of them played their hearts out today. I have to give credit to Saint Louis. They are a very good team,and they have some great players who will surely play professionally. We are going to enjoy this today and thenget ready to prepare for next week.”

The Cats (11-8-2) stepped up first in the shootout with junior Marc Theriault taking the PK, but the shotwent just high, hitting the crossbar. O’Leary blocked the first and third Billiken kicks, and the Cats went up 3-2off goals by O’Leary, Brian Mitts, and Chris Austin. Sophomore J.D. Stephenson stepped up for UK’s final kick,and blasted it past SLU goalkeeper John Politis for the victory.

Although the Billiken attack produced 21 shots, the Wildcat defense did not allow a score. Two shots, whichcould have gotten by O’Leary, were cleared by freshmen Thomas Graham and Craig Pykett, while the UKdefense also limited the Billiken dynamic duo of Jack Jewsbury and Brad Davis to only five shots on the day.

However, O’Leary kept the nets locked, collecting a season-high 11 saves.O’Leary earned his ninth shutout of the season and his fourth in the postseason. With his 150:00 minutes ofplay, he also lowered his goals-against average to a superb 0.95. He has not surrendered a goal since the 26thminute in the regular season finale against Penn State on Oct. 29, moving his scoreless streak to nearly 485minutes.

“That is about the best goalkeeping I have seen,” SLU head coach Bob Warming said.

UK had a few chances offensively to prevent overtime, with seven shots, and sophomore Chris McDaniel nearlyknocked one in at the 41:44 mark. Junior Ilkka Jantti lobbed in a free kick into the box where McDaniel receivedit. Surrounded by defenders, he got a slight touch on the ball getting it past Politis, but another Billiken got tothe goal line just in time to clear it away.

The Cats move onto second-round action to face sixth-seeded and 10th-ranked Southern Methodist next weekendin Dallas, Texas. Date and time have not yet been determined.

                1       2       OT1     OT2     OT3     OT4     FSLU             0       0       0       0       0       0       0Kentucky        0       0       0       0       0       0       0UK advances on penalty kicks, 4-2.Goals: UK - none; SLU  nonePenalty Kicks: UK  Brian OLeary, Brian Mitts, Chris Austin, J.D. Stephenson; SLU  Joe Hammes, Jack JewsburyShots: UK 7; SLU 21Goalkeeper Saves: UK  Brian OLeary 11; SLU  John Politis 4Corner Kicks: UK 5; SLU 14