Sept. 23, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky men’s soccer senior Brad Doliner and freshman Napo Matsoso have been named to the Gamecock Classic All-Tournament Team, it was announced.
Doliner, a native of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, has played nearly every position on the field through UK’s first six games, his first career starts. Doliner has started at forward, center back, outside back, center midfield and outside midfield to open the year. A 5-foot-10, 180-pounder, Doliner has a goal and an assist in 473 minutes, firing 11 shots and two shots on goal. His first career goal came as the game-winning tally in the season opener vs. Georgia State.
“It’s fantastic,” UK head coach Johan Cedergren said about Doliner and Matsoso earning spots on the all-tournament team. “Doliner is a guy who hasn’t played much in his career, he is a redshirt senior, but just through his hard work, determination and grit he finds a way to play, he plays up front and scores a goal for us. Plays right back and now we need him in center midfield. Anywhere you put Doliner he does an unbelievable job for you. He’s a leader with just the amount of work he does. He is okay on the ball but just a ball that needs to be chased down or there is a 50-50 tackle need to be won, he will be there. He will help you out.”
A product of Louisville’s St. Francis, Matsoso has been a huge weapon for the Wildcats in his first season on campus. The speedy 5-foot-6 midfielder has emerged as one of the top freshmen in collegiate soccer. He ranks fourth on the UK roster in minutes played (509), netting one goal and firing 11 shots.
“Then of course (Doliner’s hard work) really helps Napo a lot,” Cedergren said. “Napo can do a little more of the skill work. I would argue that if you look in terms of freshmen across the country, there are not many better than Napo and there are not many playing as much as Napo is doing and doing as well as he is doing. I couldn’t be any happier, Napo is a kid we started recruiting right away and worked hard on getting here so we are excited to have him for four years. But he is someone who makes us tick, he is someone sees passes that other players don’t. We just have to make sure we help him out, we run for him and is going to be great. So both of them have done really, really well.”
Kentucky will return to action on Sunday, hosting No. 20 UAB at 1 p.m. ET in the Conference USA opener.
