Sept. 11, 2001

The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team returned to the national polls this week with a No. 20 ranking in the collegesoccer.com media poll and a No. 25 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas poll. The Cats also are ranked third in the Great Lakes region by the NSCAA.

UK opened the season ranked 23rd by the NSCAA but fell from the poll after dropping a close 1-0 match to then-No. 4 Indiana. In that contest, Kentucky extended the Hoosiers to double-overtime playing a man down for the final 75 minutes. The Cats rebounded with a solid effort last Friday against No. 13 Ohio State, tying the Buckeyes 2-2 in double-overtime before topping UNC Asheville, 4-0, on Sunday.

Regionally, the Wildcats moved up to No. 3 from No. 5 a week ago and trail only No. 1 IU and No. 2 OSU. UK is the only region team to have played both teams and has a record of 0-1-1.

Also, Kentucky senior Ilkka Jantti was named to the CollegeSoccerNews.com team of the week, the Web site announced on Tuesday.

The All-America candidate leads the Cats’ defensive corps, helping them to a 2-2 tie with the Buckeyes on Friday while shutting out UNCA on Sunday. In addition, Jantti contributed two assists last weekend to give him a team-leading three on the season. Against OSU, he assisted on UK’s first goal by Chris McAlpine that tied the game at one. He fed John Monebrake for the game-winning goal in the triumph over UNCA.

“Ilkka’s play speaks for itself,” Coach Ian Collins said. “He is without question one of the top-10 players in college soccer and a very strong candidate for national player of the year.”

The Cats put their new ranking on the line when they play host to the UK/Traditional Bank Classic on Friday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 16. UK meets The Citadel in Friday’s matchup while Winthrop battles UK on Sunday.