With a stingy defense and a strong second-half offensive attack, the University of Kentucky men’s soccer team improved to 4-0-0 in the Mid-American Conference by defeating Buffalo, 3-1. The win also marked UK Coach Ian Collins’ 100th career victory.
“These were tough conditions today with the wet field and strong wind,” Collins said. “We gave up a soft goal early, but we were able to get three back. Buffalo was a tough, physical team. We stayed focused and got a big win.”
Buffalo (4-5-1, 1-3-0 MAC) set the Wildcat fans on edge early when Dan Wielechowski gave the Bulls a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. However, UK answered at the 30:55 mark. After a UB foul, Nathan Fleetwood served a free kick into the box where Ilkka Jantti knotted the game with a header past the Bulls’ Brian Wozniak.
The second half was all Kentucky. John Monebrake tallied the gamewinner in the 59th minute off a pass from Olli Lehtimaki that was set up by another Fleetwood free kick. Monebrake then netted an insurance goal less than a minute later off assists by Craig Pykett and Lehtimaki. The two-goal performance was Monebrake’s third of the season and second-consecutive in MAC play, bringing his team-leading total to seven on the year.
The first half was statistically even as both teams took three shots, while UB held a slight 3-1 corner-kick advantage. In the second stanza, however, UK outshot the Bulls 9-0, taking five corners to Buffalo’s one. Despite surrendering the early goal, Greg Raber collected his third win in as many games, needing only two saves in 90 minutes of action.
The Cats now hold a 4-0-0 advantage in the series with Buffalo and are out in front of all league competition. UK has outscored its four MAC opponents 13-3.
UK returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 17, when they play host to Georgetown College. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
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Attendance: 738
Scoring: Kentucky – Ilkka Jantti (Nathan Fleetwood) 30:55, John Monebrake (Nathan Fleetwood, Olli Lehtimaki) 58:32, John Monebrake (Olli Lehtimaki, Craig Pykett), Buffalo – Dan Wielchowski (unassisted) 15:49
Shots: Kentucky 12, Buffalo 3
Corner Kicks: Kentucky 7, Buffalo 4
Goalkeeper Saves: Kentucky – Greg Raber 2, Buffalo – Brian Wozniak 4
