Aug. 24, 2001
KENTUCKY TO PLAY HOST TO WRIGHT STATE IN EXHIBITION MATCH
Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s soccer team will play host to the Raiders of Wright State on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 1 p.m. in a preseason exhibition match. This will be the only exhibition contest for the Wildcats before opening their season next Friday, Aug. 31, when Marshall visits the UK Soccer Complex at 7 p.m.
The Wildcats, currently ranked #25 nationally by Soccerbuzz.com, posted a 15-6 overall record and a 6-3 mark in the Southeastern Conference last season. Wright State, a member of the newly named Horizon League (formerly the Midwestern Collegiate Conference), is aiming for an unprecedented fourth straight conference championship in 2001 after earning bids to the NCAA Tournament in 1998, 1999, and 2000.
“This is an outstanding preseason test for our athletes,” said Coach Warren Lipka. “Wright State has been to the (NCAA) tournament the past three years and playing a team at their level will definitely get us prepared for our tough schedule we have in front of us.”
UK’s 2001 docket is highlighted by four teams that earned bids to the 2000 NCAA Tournament — at Michigan (Sept. 7), Southern California at the Loyola Marymount Fila Challenge in Los Angeles (Sept. 16), Arizona State at home in the Traditional Bank Invitational and at defending SEC champion Florida (Oct. 7).
Keri Boyce, a first-team All-SEC selection last year, returns for her third season to anchor the Cats’ offensive attack. One of nine returning starters, Boyce has started in all 42 games in her career and netted 31 points as a result of her team-leading 11 goals and nine assists in 2001.
Leading the Raiders again this season will be senior goalkeeper Randi Freeman. Freeman, a 2000 first-team All-MCC pick, has been the conference tournament Most Valuable Player in each of the past three years.
“This is the most talented squad I’ve had in my ten years at UK,” Lipka said. “We are top-to-bottom solid at each position and our athletes are ambitious to get the season started.”
KENTUCKY PICKED FOURTH, FLORIDA SELECTED FIRST IN SEC POLL
Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s soccer team has been selected to finish fourth in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division as voted on by the leagues 12 coaches. Florida has been chosen as the favorite to claim the 2001 title, marking the seventh consecutive year that the Gators have been tabbed by the coaches to win the championship.
“It’s not where you start the season, it’s where you end up,” Coach Warren Lipka said. “We’re not concerned with polls and where other people are placing us – we’re focusing on coming together as a team and preparing for our season.”
UK finished the 2000 campaign at 15-6 overall and 6-3 against SEC competition. Coming off their fifth straight SEC title last season, the Gators earned nine first-place votes, topping Tennessee, which received three votes. Georgia also preceded the Wildcats in the poll while Vanderbilt and South Carolina rounded out the East. In the West, Ole Miss was the clear favorite with eight first-place votes followed by Auburn (3), Mississippi State (1), Arkansas, LSU, and Alabama.
“We can’t get caught up in preseason polls telling us where we should be,” Lipka said. “Our play on the field will determine where we belong.”
The Wildcats will play host to the Raiders of Wright State on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 1 p.m. in a preseason exhibition match. Admission is free. This will be the only exhibition contest for Kentucky before opening its season next Friday, Aug. 31, when Marshall visits the UK Soccer Complex at 7 p.m.
2001 SEC PRESEASON COACHES' POLL Eastern DivisionWestern DivisionPts.SECOverallPct.Pts.SECOverallPct.Florida (9)649-016-8-0.913Ole Miss (8)635-3-113-6-1.675Tennessee (3)537-212-8-0.600Auburn (3)483-613-7-0.650Georgia434-4-111-9-2.545Miss. State (1)423-5-18-11-1.425Kentucky436-315-6-0.714Arkansas393-5-17-11-3.405Vanderbilt275-412-9-0.571LSU355-415-6-0.714South Carolina161-84-16-0.200Alabama191-86-14-0.300
