Cook Scores Game-Winner on Senior Night for Crucial Conference Win
In his last regular-season game at the friendly confines of the UK Soccer Complex, Wildcat senior Tyler Cook scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat Bowling Green, 2-1, for the Cats’ fourth Mid-American Conference victory. The win keeps Kentucky in position for a shot at the MAC regular-season title with only one league contest remaining.
Cook, a native of Crestwood, Ky., blasted a shot by Falcon goalkeeper David DeGraff giving him his second game winner of the season. Senior Giovani Fernandes set up the ball off of a corner kick that was headed by freshman Chris Soler to freshman Kevin Strobo. Strobo was able to get a foot on the ball and sent it to Cook for the score.
“I can’t say enough about these guys,” head coach Ian Collins said. “They have unbelievable character in the face of adversity. This was a great game for the fans. I have to give Bowling Green credit. They served long and hit the ball out of the air, but we didn’t give them many chances. I am just so proud of these guys. We are coming together at the right time.”
The Cats (8-6-0, 4-1-0 MAC) expected a rough match with the Falcons (8-6-0, 4-1-0 MAC) based on previous experience, and this match was the most physical UK has seen all season with 53 fouls and nine yellow and two red cards. It was a takedown in the box that the referee viewed as too rough by UK senior Ryan Grady that nearly put the game away. The foul on Grady gave BG a penalty kick with the game on the line.
However, Matt Lyons, the Falcon designated to take the kick, had to wait before getting his shot at winning the game. After the foul call, Grady vehemently argued the call and received his second yellow card of the game sending him permanently to the sidelines. As a result Collins took the field to argue and was eventually red carded and ejected.
After nearly five minutes of delay, Lyons set up the PK which he sent just over the cross bar, giving the Cats new life.
With the game and the regular-season title on the line and a man down, UK took the game to overtime and entered the extra period with new vigor. The Falcons attacked quickly and got off a good shot, only their seventh of the game, that senior UK goalkeeper Brian O’Leary snatched out of the air for his fourth save of the night.
The Cats then took control, attacking the BG goal to earn the corner kick that led to the winning score.
The first 30 minutes of the game were dominated by UK as it was able to control the ball and keep it in the BG end of the field. However, in the 34th minute, Tommy Thomas gave the Falcons the lead with an eight yard shot just out of O’Leary’s reach. The Cats tied the game nearly 11 minutes later, when BG gave UK a penalty kick that junior Marc Theriault knocked past DeGraff for the equalizer.
On the night, O’Leary faced only seven shots, but tallied four key saves. UK’s offense again outplayed the opponent with a 14-7 shot advantage and a 9-4 corner kick advantage.
The Cats next matchup sends them to Huntington, W.Va., for their final conference contest of the season as they face the Thundering Herd of Marshall on Sunday, Oct. 22. Action is slated to get underway at 3 p.m. A UK win on Sunday and an Akron tie or loss in the Zips last two league matches would give the Cats their first MAC title.
College Men's SoccerLexington, Ky. Att. 1,118 1 2 OT FBowling Green 1 0 0 1Kentucky 1 0 1 2Goals: UK Marc Theriault (penalty kick) 44:37, Tyler Cook
(Chris Soler, Kevin Strobo) 94:49; BG Tommy Thomas (Benjamin Vaccaro) 33:52Shots: UK 14; BG 7Goalkeeper saves: UK Brian O'Leary 4; BG David DeGraff 1 Corner Kicks: UK 9; BG 4
