Aug 29, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky men’s soccer senior defender Steven Perinovic and senior goalkeeper Jack Van Arsdale – a pair of 2012 All-Conference USA performers – have been elected team captains for the 2013 season, it was announced by head coach Johan Cedergren.
“Steven and Jack have really developed into leaders and to be voted by their teammates to serve in that role officially during the season is a big honor,” Cedergren said. “Both guys have earned the respect of their peers with their hard work, dedication and leadership on and off the field. One of the foundations of our program is to put a lot of trust and faith in the leadership of the team and we have that in our senior class.”
Perinovic, a 6-foot center back, earned first-team All-Conference USA honors in 2012 while helping anchor a youthful backline for the Wildcats as they advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003. He led UK in minutes, starting all 21 games and totaling one goal. Perinovic, a native of Delafield, Wis., has played in 59 games with 53 starts in his career, with a goal and two assists.
A native of Richmond, Va., Van Arsdale had one of the best seasons in school history in goal for UK as a junior. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder earned second-team All-Conference USA honors, playing in 19 of UK’s 21 games with 18 starts. He totaled a 1.10 goals-against average to rank 11th in UK single-season history, with his five shutouts ranking 11th and his 64 career saves good for ninth-best in program annals.
“In addition to Steven and Jack, seniors Brad Doliner and Tyler Riggs are key to our leadership and have been great examples to our young players,” Cedergren said. “It was also great to see that sophomore Bryan Celis received votes for team captain. That is a true testament to the respect he has garnered from his peers and his active leadership role on and off the pitch. As a coaching staff, it gives us great confidence in the team to have such a strong leadership structure.”
The Wildcats open their 2013 season on Friday with Wright State at 7:30 p.m. ET at the UK Soccer Complex.
