Stephenson, Graham Named to All-Tournament Team
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Sept. 16, 2000) — The University of Kentucky mens soccer team battled valiantly with North Carolina before succumbing 2-1 in the closing match of the Nike Carolina Classic on Saturday, September 16.
Down 2-0 in the closing moments of the match and playing a man short, the Cats (2-4-0) went on a full-blown attack and drew within one when Giovanni Fernandes scored off of a Thomas Graham free kick with only 44 seconds remaining.
However, UK would not settle for the lone goal. Attacking quickly again, the Cats forced the ball into the middle just in front of the goal, and with only 10 seconds remaining, Chris McDaniel got away with the ball. His shot was kicked off the goal line by Carolina as time expired.
The Tar Heels and Cats played tight for much of the game with excellent play on the ball by both teams along with strong defense. Neither team was able to find the net until Carolinas Noz Yamauchi slipped past the UK defense to score at the 59:07 mark, and Tar Heel Chris Carrieri pushed the lead to two with a goal in the 75th minute.
Shortly after, UK was forced to play a man down when Kevin Strobo received a red card. However, it was then that the Cats intensified their play. They began to take control of the ball and were inches away from sending the game into overtime.
J.D. Stephenson and Thomas Graham were credited for their outstanding play by being named to the NikeCarolina Classic All-Tournament Team.
UK returns to Lexington for a four-game home stand that gets underway against IUPUI on Friday, Sept. 22, at7:30 p.m., at the UK Soccer Complex
1 2 FNorth Carolina 0 2 2Kentucky 0 1 1Goals: UK Giovanni Fernandes (Thomas Graham) 89:16UNC Noz Yamauchi (Danny Jackson, Sean McGinty) 59:07, Chris Carrieri (Logan Pause, Sean McGinty) 74:28Shots: UK 7 UNC 15Goalkeeper Saves: UK 2 UNC 1Corner Kicks: UK 3 UNC 2
