Aug. 25, 2001

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The 23rd-ranked University of Kentucky men’s soccer team dropped its opening exhibition game of the IPFW Soccer Showcase on Saturday, Aug. 25, to No. 17 South Carolina, 2-0.

Despite controlling the tempo and playing much of the game on the offensive end of the field, the Cats could not find the nets. With less than three minutes gone in the first half, Brian Mitts had a header miss its mark just wide and, at the 4:13 mark, Nathan Fleetwood’s shot hit the crossbar as did a John Monebrake shot five minutes later. Kentucky also had two shots kicked off the line by USC. UK out shot the Gamecocks 12-11, while the USC goalkeeper was forced to make six saves.

“There were a lot of positive things to take from this game,” Coach Ian Collins said. “We dominated the game on both ends of the field. We just made a couple of silly mistakes that cost us goals. We attacked well and had a lot of chances to score. This was an exhibition game so we can take this and learn from it.”

USC got the game winner when Jordan Quinn headed in a crossing pass just past UK goalkeeper Brad Samelko to take the 1-0 lead with 9:43 remaining in the first half. The Gamecocks then got an insurance goal at the 79:36 mark.

The Cats return to the field on Sunday, Aug. 26, when they take on the Blazers of Alabama-Birmingham. Action gets underway at noon CST at the Hefner Soccer Fields on the campus of IPFW.

12FKentucky000S. Carolina112

Shots: Kentucky – 12, South Carolina – 11Corner Kicks: Kentucky – 4, South Carolina – 2Goalkeeper Saves: Kentucky – Brad Samelko 4, South Carolina – 6Fouls: Kentucky – 10, South Carolina – 10