The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team used its third straight three-goal performance in Mid-American Conference play to top Marshall, 3-0, on Sunday, Oct. 21 at the UK Soccer Complex. The victory gives UK (9-4-1, 5-0-0 MAC) sole possession of first place in the MAC, while UM (9-4-0, 3-3-0 MAC) remains in third. It also extends the Cats’ win streak to five, the longest of the season.
“We played a great second half,” Coach Ian Collins said. “We created a lot of opportunities against a very good team. This is a great win for us and puts us in a good position going down the stretch.”
Neither team could get much going in the first half as both managed just four shots each. Defense prevailed with offense losing possession often. However, the action picked up in the second half but only in the Cats favor.
Less than a minute into the second stanza, Chris Soler took a Nathan Fleetwood cross that was on the mark, but the Herd’s Matt Salmon made a nice save. In the 53rd minute, Soler served the ball to John Monebrake, whose header was just off target hitting the right post. A minute later, Ilkka Jantti gave the Cats the game-winner off an Antti Peltonen free kick for his fourth goal of the season.
It was all Kentucky after that. In the 72nd minute, a UK corner kick led to a barrage of shots that ended with Chael Soler sending the ball past Salmon for his first goal of the year. Nine minutes later, John Monebrake, the Cats’ leading scorer, headed in a pass from Brian Mitts to set the final margin. The goal gave Monebrake eight on the year, while the assist gave Mitts a team-leading five.
On the afternoon, UK out shot the Herd 12-6, giving Marshall just two shots in the second half. Greg Raber continued his steady play in goal for the Cats, needing just two saves to collect his third shutout and his fifth straight win.
Kentucky returns to action when they travel to Miami, Fla., for the Florida International University Invitational. The Cats face No. 22 Furman on Friday, Oct. 26, before meeting host FIU on Sunday, Oct. 28.
12FUK033MU000
Attentance: 1,232
Scoring: Kentucky – Ilkka Jantti (Antti Peltonen) 53:53, Chael Soler (Chris Soler) 71:34, John Monebrake (Chael Soler, Brian Mitts) 80:27, Marshall – none
Shots: Kentucky 12, Marshall 6
Corner Kicks: Kentucky 6, Marshall 6
Goalkeeper Saves: Kentucky – Greg Raber 2, Marshall – Matt Salmon 5
