Cats Get Off to 1-0 MAC Start
The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team defeated a tough Western Michigan squad 1-0 on Friday,Sept. 29 at the UK Soccer Complex.
In a very physical, foul-plagued contest, neither team was able to get much going offensively as the defensesdominated the action. Both sides combined for 35 fouls, including two yellow cards.
After a scoreless first half, the Cats (5-4-0) finally found the net at the 64:56 mark when Tyler Cook took along pass from Chris Soler and headed the ball past WMU goalkeeper Brad Smith for the game-winner. Thegoal was Cook’s first of the season and fifth of his career, while Soler’s assist was his second of the season.
The Broncos (2-6-1) did not lie down, however, as leading goal scorer Scott Duhl blasted the ball justoutside the reach of UK goalkeeper Brian O’Leary for the would-be tying goal. Fortunately for the Cats, theshot was just wide enough to hit the left post and deflect back onto the field.
O’Leary faced seven shots on the evening needing only two saves to record his second consecutiveshutout, bringing his season total to three. His streak is now at 208 minutes and one second.
The Cats return to the UK Soccer Complex to take on the Huskies of Northern Illinois on Sunday, Oct. 1.Action gets underway at 2 p.m.
AGATE:Men's College SoccerLexington, Ky. Attendance 347 1 2 FWKU 0 0 0Kentucky 0 1 1Goals: UK Tyler Cook (Chris Soler) 65:46; WMU none Shots: UK 9; WMU 7Goalkeeper Saves: UK Brian O'Leary 2; WMU Brad Smith 4Corner Kicks: UK 4; WMU 4
