Aug. 12, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s soccer team had its three captains, Arin Gilliland, Stuart Pope and Courtney Raetzman elected to the 2014 Southeastern Conference Coaches Watch List, it was announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon in Birmingham, Ala.
2014 marks the second-straight season that Gilliland has been placed on the SEC coaches watch list, and the first time in both Raetzman and Pope’s careers that they have achieved the on-field honor by the SEC coaches.
Kentucky returns eight of 11 starters from the best season in program history in 2013, where UK collected 14 wins, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in program history. Kentucky collected a dominating 3-1 win over Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champions, UCLA.
2014 Honda Inspiration Award winner and returning goal scorer and point-getter, Arin Gilliland returns for her final season for the Wildcats. The Lexington, Ky., native has already set multiple school records, and is looking to etch her name into the UK record books as the best player in program history. Gilliland was just recently named to the MAC Hermann Watch List, and just returned from a stint with the Ottawa Fury FC in the W-League.
UK will be commencing the new $7 million Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex in 2014, as the Wildcats will officially open the new soccer-specific stadium on Aug. 31 against the Ohio Bobcats. The new home for UK will house separate facilities for the men’s and women’s programs, including new team rooms, player lounges, locker areas, coaches offices, press box and a gorgeous new grandstand. Combined with the 2011 additions of a $100,000 playing surface, a new video tower and a video board, it will immediately set the standard for college soccer facilities.
Kentucky will kick off the 2014 season in Seattle, Wash., against the Washington Huskies at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Friday, Aug. 22 followed by a match against Seattle U on Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. ET.
For continuing coverage of UK women’s soccer, log on to UKathletics.com.
