Sep 8, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Behind a two-goal game from sophomore Isak Krogstad, the Kentucky men’s soccer team set a new program record for shots in a game and posted a 4-0 win over IPFW, on a steamy Sunday afternoon at the UK Soccer Complex.
Kentucky (2-1) had a historic day in its offensive explosion, eclipsing the school record with 35 shots in the game, topping the previous school record, set with 31 shots in a win over Eastern Michigan in 1994.
Each of UK’s four goals came in the second half, marking the third-most goals in a half in school annals, with UK also having two goals scored called off for offsides. UK owned a 14-2 advantage in shots in the first half and a 21-1 mark in the second half, with the Wildcats also setting a program record with the six assists in the frame.
“I liked the patience. I liked the speed of play,” UK head coach Johan Cedergren said. “I challenged the guys in the locker room before in terms of who is going to be our leaders this year. And no matter what happens can we keep pushing, be organized, work hard and play. Everyone today did a good job in terms of staying switched on. Really, really happy with how we played.”
A native of Tomsoe, Norway, Krogstad led the way with his first career goals, netting one in the 52nd for the game-winning tally and adding one in the 56th. He also assisted on UK’s third goal of the game, before being subbed out early in the second half.
UK got the two-goal game from Krogstad, with dynamic freshman midfielder Napo Matsoso also getting his first career goal in the 57th minute. Fellow talented freshman Charlie Reymann also notched his first career goal in the 63rd minute.
Kentucky got the second clean sheet in as many games from sophomore goalkeeper Callum Irving, who saw just three IPFW (0-3-1) shots. Irving, a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, now has three shutouts in his five career starts.
The Wildcats played a total of 13 newcomers of the 19 players that saw action on Sunday. UK started six freshmen and eight underclassmen, with freshmen Ryan Creel and Jason Pitts making their collegiate debuts.
“They played fantastic,” Cedergren said about his newcomers. “You couldn’t tell that those were freshmen playing. They pulled IPFW apart. They had a lot of good interplay and finding the forwards. It is great to see that we have that much talent in the freshmen class and even some of the guys that came on late.”
UK will return to action on Saturday, traveling to face Xavier in a rematch of the 2012 NCAA Tournament first round in Lexington. Kickoff in Cincinnati is slated for 7 p.m. ET.
In the 52nd minute, the Wildcats got on the board, as freshman Alex Bumpus played a ball to the near sideline to freshman Kaelon Fox inside the 18-yard box. Fox crossed a ball into the middle of the box for senior Brad Doliner, who flipped it to far side of the six-yard box for Krogstad. Krogstad connected on a diving header into the net past the keeper at the far post for his first career goal. The assists marked the first career point for Fox, making his first career start.
“I really wanted a goal today,” Krogstad said. “(Assistant coach Erik) Imler told me before the game he was expecting a goal. Just get that cross and (senior Brad Doliner) Dolly just let it go, perfect by him. Killer spirit, just wanted it in. Felt amazing.”
The Wildcats added to their lead in the 56th minute, as UK had a run that led to a pair of shots, one from Krogstad and another from sophomore Jacob Scearce, that bounced off the post. Freshman Sam Miller, a native of Nicholasville, Ky., centered the ball inside the box and found a streaking Krogstad, who beat the keeper with a right-footed smash. The assist marked Miller’s first of his career, with the product of East Jessamine also making his first career start.
In the 57th minute, just 33 seconds after the last goal, Scearce fired a hard-hit shot from the top of the 18-yard box that forced a diving save to the keeper’s right. Reymann rebounded the shot with his right foot and a defender on his left, quickly and gently sliding the ball past the keeper at the near post. The goal marked his first career tally.
Kentucky stretched its lead in the 63rd minute, as Krogstad played a ball to Miller on the far sideline, who found Matsoso. The Louisville, Ky., product fired his first career goal with a hard-hit strike at the far post to beat a hard-charging keeper.
“We are starting to get something,” Krogstad said. “You can see it in practice. We just have to get it out in games. I have a great faith in this team and we have something good in this team. (We) Can’t wait to play on.”
GAME NOTES: Freshman Alex Bumpus made his first career start in the midfield … Freshman Sam Miller made his first career start … Freshman Kaelon Fox made his first career start … After starting at forward for the first two games, senior Brad Doliner returned to his natural defensive position … Freshman midfielder Cameron Mohseni was UK’s first sub of the game … Freshman Ryan Creel made his collegiate debut … Freshman Jason Pitts made his collegiate debut … Sophomore Isak Krogstad netted his first career goals and became the 63rd player in program history with a two-goal game … Freshmen Fox, Miller and Brad Doliner each recorded their first career assists, with Miller notching a pair of assists … Jacob Scearce recorded his first assist of the year and the second of his career … Freshman Napo Matsoso notched his first career goal … Freshman Charlie Reymann netted his first career goal … Senior preseason All-America defender Steven Perinovic won 6-of-7 contested header attempts … UK’s four-goal output in the second half was the third-most goals in a half in program history, ranking just behind five goals vs. Eastern Michigan in 1991 and Western Michigan in 1996 … UK set a new program record for shots in a game (35), shattering the previous record of 31, set in 1994 vs. Eastern Michigan … UK had six assists in the second half, the most in single-game history … UK scored goals just 33 seconds apart in the second half, the third-shortest time between goals in program history … UK leads the all-time series with IPFW, 3-0, claiming wins in each of the last three seasons.
