Cats make first appearance in NCAAs.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 18, 1999) — The University of Kentuckymen’s soccer team will make its first NCAATournament appearance today when the Cats faceNo. 2 Indiana at 2 p.m.
UK is riding a four-match win streak, but will face atough task against the defending nationalchampions. IU topped Kentucky 4-2 earlier thisseason and leads the all-time series between thetwo schools, 6-1.
Coach and Cats Claim Honors
University of Kentucky men’s soccer coach IanCollins was named Mid-American ConferenceCoach of the Year on Nov. 4 at the MACTournament Banquet.
Collins was selected by his fellow coaches afterguiding the Cats to a runner-up MAC finish with a5-1-1 conference record. It marks the second time in three years that Collinshas earned MAC Coach of the Year honors.
“It’s always nice to be recognized by your colleagues,” Collins said. “But theaward is a tribute to the hard work done by Assistant Coach Jeff Chaneyand our players.”
Also earning honors were Cats Lee Baker, Giovanni Fernandes, Ilkka Janttiand Todd Stonestreet, as the four were named All-Mid-AmericanConference. Baker, Fernandes and Jantti were first-team selections whileStonestreet earned a second-team nod.
It marked Baker’s third time on the All-MAC squad, while Fernandes andJantti were honored for a second time. Stonestreet, long one of theconference’s top defenders, was selected for the first time.
Cats on a Roll Again
The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team is on a roll again, having wonfour consecutive matches.
The 1999 season has been a season of streaks for UK, as the Cats havealso racked up another four-match win streak and one five-match win streakto accompany a pair of three-match losing slides.
Last Time Out…
The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team bested Northern Illinois 2-1on Nov. 12 at the UK Soccer Complex to claim the Mid-AmericanConference title and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Despite tying a school-record with 17 shots in the first half, the Wildcatscould not find the net and the first period ended in a scoreless tie.
UK striker Jason Bell opened the scoring in the 68th minute when he blasteda shot past the NIU keeper off a J.D. Stephenson cross.
The Huskies would strike back less than six minutes later, however, as AlexD’Orsi headed in a Jason Ryder throw in at 72:57 to even the score at 1-1.
Bell and the Cats would not be denied, though, as the senior’s five-yard shotgave UK a 2-1 lead at 83:10 on pass from Brent Rainey.
UK dominated statistically, holding a gaudy 25-5 shot advantage over theHuskies en route to its first-ever MAC crown and NCAA berth.
“It’s great to see all our hard work and effort pay off,” Bell said. “This is thegreatest feeling in the world.”
“Our players worked so hard all season,” UK Coach Ian Collins said. “Theyare the happiest bunch of guys I’ve ever seen and they really deserve it.”
UK Lands Four on All-MAC Tournament Squad
After claiming its first MAC title with a 2-1 win over Northern Illinois onNov. 12, UK placed four players on the All-MAC Tournament Team.
UK’s Bell, Giovanni Fernandes, Chris McAlpine and Brian O’Leary toppedthe MAC All-Tournament team and Collins praised their play.
“Jason always seems to find a way to get it done offensively,” Collins said.”Chris McAlpine really controlled the midfield and O’Leary came up big alltournament. Giovanni’s play was simply brilliant.”
Two Cats Named MAC Players of the Week
UK’s Lee Baker and Brian O’Leary were both named Mid-AmericanConference Player of the Week during the 1999 season.
Baker, a senior from Spring, Texas, tied a school record on Sept. 12,assisting on all three goals in UK’s 3-0 win over UNC Asheville. It wasBaker’s second MAC Player of the Week honor during his career, as healso earned honors for the week of Oct. 27, 1998.
UK goalkeeper Brian O’Leary was named MAC Player of the Week onOct. 12. O’Leary, a junior from Lexington, recorded his fourth consecutiveshutout in MAC play on Friday, Oct. 8, and extended his 398-minuteshutout streak in conference play.
Baker Finds Place in UK Record Books
With 19 goals and 16 assists for 54 points, senior Lee Baker ranks in UK’sall-time top five in each category. He ranks fourth in goals scored and pointsand is second in assists.
The senior from Spring, Texas, is a three-time All-MAC selection and ledthe Cats in goals and assists in 98. In 99, he leads the team with eightassists and is second with seven goals.
Earlier this season at IU…
The University of Kentucky dropped a hard-fought decision to top-rankedIndiana on Oct. 20, falling 4-2 to the Hoosiers at Ben Armstrong Stadium inBloomington.
Despite playing in the attacking half for the majority of the match, IU’scounterattack and set plays were too much for the Cats.
Indiana’s potent counterattack put the Hoosiers up 2-0 early in the first halfbefore UK’s Jason Bell found the net in the 40th minute to close the marginto 2-1 at the break.
After IU scored early in the second to push the score to 3-1, the Catsappeared to close the margin once again, but a Kentucky goal wasdisallowed by referee Ricardo Salazar.
Kentucky’s Lee Baker netted a penalty kick in the 72nd minute to pull theCats within one at 3-2, but IU struck back just minutes later to ice theHoosier win.
Stickler Named to Soccer America’s Team of the Week
UK forward Michael Stickler was named to Soccer America’s CollegeTeam of the Week for Sept. 1-5, following his outstanding showing at theUNLV Rebel Classic.
Stickler, a senior from Hudson, Ohio, scored three goals in two matches,including the game-winner in the championship match.
Last season, Stickler was one of three Cats to be named MAC Player of theWeek, claiming his award for the week of Oct. 6-12.
Bell Named PNC Athlete of the Week
UK striker Jason Bell has been named PNC Bank’s Athlete of the Week forSept. 12-18.
Bell, a senior from Louisville, was chosen based on his achievements on thefield and in the classroom.
Bell scored two goals in UK’s opener versus Cal Santa Barbara, and thephilosophy major has been awarded the Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Awardand is member of the MAC and SEC Honor Rolls.
Cats Claim Academic Honors
The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team placed a SoutheasternConference-best 11 players on the SEC Academic Honor Roll, theconference office announced Nov. 10.
Lee Baker, Jason Bell, Tyler Cook, Giovanni Fernandes, Rob Frey, IlkkaJantti, Lee London, Chris McAlpine, Brian O’Leary, Michael Stickler andMarc Theriault were selected for the honor based on their academicachievements.
“We’re so proud of what these men have accomplished both on and off thefield,” UK Coach Ian Collins said. “They truly exemplify the student-athlete’concept.”
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must either have a 3.0 GPAfor the past year or have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be asophomore or higher in terms of academic classification and have 24 hourstoward a degree.
