Cats Begin Second Half of Four-Game Home Stand with MAC Foe
(Sept. 28, 2000) — The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team looks to continue its winning streak when it begins Mid-American Conference play against Western Michigan on Friday, September 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the UK Soccer Complex.
“Western Michigan is rising in the right direction,” UK head coach Ian Collins said. “They have a couple of big wins and havekept many of their games close. It is the opening game for us in the MAC and their second game, so it is very important for bothteams. We expect them to come in here looking to knock us off.”
The Cats (4-4-0) are coming off two big wins over IUPUI and Western Kentucky last weekend. In a thriller against the Jaguars ofIUPUI, UK took a two-goal lead with just over 15 minutes remaining in the first half. However, the Jags attacked and evened thescore at two with about 30 minutes to play. Ilkka Jantti then got the game-winner in the 79th minute to clinch a 3-2 win.
UK downed the WKU Hilltoppers 1-0 despite a muddy field and first-half downpour. After Chris McDaniel drew a foul in thebox, Marc Theriault scored off the ensuing penalty kick to set the final margin.
The Cats are led by Giovani Fernandes, McDaniel, and Jantti, each with five points. Jantti and McDaniel share the team lead ingoals, along with Ryan Grady, with two each, while Fernandes is tops on the squad with three assists. Goalkeeper Brian O’Leary hasrecorded two shutouts this season, bringing his career total to 15, with 13 saves and a 0.99 goals-against average (second in theMAC).
WMU (2-5-1) arrives in Lexington on a two-game losing streak having fallen to Detroit and MAC foe Marshall. The Broncosare led in scoring by freshman Scott Duhl, who has four goals on the season. Sophomores Rob Friend and Mike Bravo have eachrecorded seven points. Friend is second on the team in goals with three, while Bravo leads the team in assists (three) and is third ingoals (two).
Kentucky has won all eight meetings in this series. They last met in the second round of the 1999 MAC tournament where the Catstoppled the Broncos 3-0 to advance to the championship game.
