Sep 1, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Making his first career start at forward, senior Brad Doliner connected on his first career goal in the 86th minute to lift the Kentucky men’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over Georgia State in the season opener, on a humid Sunday afternoon at the UK Soccer Complex.
Kentucky (1-0) and Georgia State (0-1) battled in a physical game in the season opener, with the Wildcats getting the late tally from Doliner for the difference.
The Wildcats finished with a 9-8 advantage in shots and a 5-4 lead in corner kicks. Kentucky got a strong start from its sophomore goalkeeper Callum Irving, making his first start since Sept. 9, 2012 vs. No. 4 Charlotte. Irving finished with one save, notching his second career clean sheet. GSU keeper CJ Cochran made four saves in 90 minutes.
With the game locked in a scoreless battle in the 86th minute, Bryan Celis played a ball to Isak Krogstad on the far sideline. Krogstad lofted a cross into the near corner of the box, with Doliner flipping it up and over the leaping gloves of Cochran and into the top of the netting. The goal was the first career tally for Doliner, playing in his 23rd career game. Celis, a sophomore midfielder, recorded his fifth assist in his 22-game UK career, with Krogstad’s marking his first career assist.
The Wildcats had their best scoring chance in the first half as senior forward Tyler Riggs fired two hard-hit shots that forced saves in the 25th minute.
UK started a lineup in its season opener with eight of its 11 players as underclassmen, including four players in their collegiate debuts. In addition, UK brought four players, including three underclassmen, off the bench, with Justin Laird – a transfer from Wright State – making his first career UK appearance. The Wildcats were anchored on the backline by preseason All-America defender Steven Perinovic, who won 5-of-6 contested header attempts in helping UK to the shutout.
Kentucky will return to action on Thursday, traveling to face East Tennessee State at 7 p.m. ET.
GAME NOTES: Freshmen Alex Bumpus, Charlie Reymann, Jordan Wilson and Napo Matsoso made their first career starts … Senior Brad Doliner made his first career start at forward … Sophomore Callum Irving made his first start since a 2011 meeting vs. Charlotte … Junior Justin Laird, making his UK debut, was the first sub of the year for UK … Freshman Kaelon Fox made his UK debut in the 38th minute … Freshman Cameron Mohseni made his collegiate debut in the second half … Doliner recorded his first career goal in his 23rd career game … Bryan Celis now has five assists in his two-year career … Isak Krogstad notched his first career assist in his 21st game … Preseason All-America defender Steven Perinovic won a total of 5-of-6 contested header opportunities … UK posted its first shutout since a 1-0 results in the C-USA Tournament Quarterfinals in 2012 against Memphis.
