July 26, 2002
The 2002 University of Kentucky women’s soccer recruiting class has been ranked 23rd nationally and third in the Great Lakes Region by Soccer Buzz Magazine, the publication announced this week. The 11 additions to the Wildcats’ roster represent six states and Canada and have been recognized by Coach Warren Lipka as the most diverse and talented class he has signed in 11 seasons directing the UK program.
“What is so special about this class is that the student-athletes are coming to UK from all over the place – Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky and Canada – each displaying their own unique style of soccer. It is exciting to bring all the different styles together and blend them into one cohesive unit. This is the largest incoming class we’ve signed and could prove to be the most talented. “
Resting atop the Soccer Buzz Top 25 list is last season’s NCAA runner-up North Carolina, while Auburn, placed at No. 15, was the only other Southeastern Conference team ranked in the national poll. Since the Tigers rotate off the Cats’ schedule in 2002, No. 17 BYU (Sept. 6 at BYU) is the only nationally-ranked opponent on UK’s 18-game slate this fall.
In the Great Lakes Region, Notre Dame received the highest honors followed by Ohio State at No. 2 with UK rounding out the top three. Opponents ranked in the top 20 include No. 6 Michigan State (Sept. 13 at UK), No. 8 Michigan (Nov. 1 at UK), No. 13 Northwestern (Sept. 15 at UK) and No. 16 Indiana (Aug. 30 at Columbia, Mo.).
The Wildcats finished the 2001 season at 12-8-1 and will open the 2002 campaign with exhibition games with Purdue on Aug. 23 and Notre Dame on Aug. 25 in the IPFW/adidas Classic in Fort Wayne, Ind. The season officially kicks off at the Missouri Nike Challenge in Columbia, Mo., against traditional rival Indiana on Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
Soccer Buzz National Top 25Soccer Buzz Great Lakes Region Top 201. North Carolina1. Notre Dame2. UCLA2. Ohio State3. Virginia3. Kentucky4. Arizona State4. Illinois5. Boston College5. Wis.-Milwaukee6. Connecticut6. Michigan State7. Duke7. Marquette8. Stanford8. Michigan9. Notre Dame9. Dayton10. Penn State10. Purdue11. California11. DePaul12. Furman12. Minnesota13. Clemson13. Northwestern14. Maryland14. Wisconsin15. Auburn15. Drake16. Princeton16. Indiana17. BYU17. Cincinnati18. Ohio State18. Ohio19. Nebraska19. Western Michigan20. Texas20. Louisville21. Rutgers20. Oakland22. Cal State Fullerton23. Kentucky24. Penn25. Florida State
