September 3, 1998

LEXINGTON, Ky. –The University of Kentucky women’s soccer team’s quest to improve upon last season’s 9-12-1 record and third-place SEC East finish will begin Friday, Sept. 4, as the Cats open the 1998 season at home. UK faces Xavier at 7 p.m. at the UK Soccer Complex.

Senior forward Carrie Staber, an All-SEC candidate, led the Wildcats with two goals in their last exhibition against Transylvania, which UK won, 5-0. In 1997, Staber finished third on the team in goals with six. The Cats also return junior midfielder Brooke Hergesell, who had seven goals in 1997, and junior forward Jen McMaster, who finished 1997 with five goals and five assists. Senior Carrie Kuhnell starts at goalkeeper for the Cats.

Xavier was 9-2-0 in 1997, good for a second-place finish in the Atlantic-10 Conference. The Musketeers return the Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year, Annette Gruber, a sophomore forward who recorded 12 goals and 12 assists last season. Junior forward Christie Reinshagen also looks to improve on last season’s totals of seven goals and four assists. The Wildcats return Sunday to face the Bobcats of Ohio at 1 p.m. This season marks only the second year of competition for Ohio. The Bobcats finished with a 10-6-2 record in 1997 and a second-place finish in the Mid-American Conference.

Bobcats sophomore forward Mindy Boggs returns after being named Freshman of the Year and National Player of the Year by Soccer Buzz last season. Boggs tallied 15 goals and seven assists in 1997.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Admission to the game is free for all UK students. In addition, the first 50 students will receive free T-shirts.