July 31, 2002

The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team ranked in the top 20 nationally last season in attendance, according to NCAA statistics published by College Soccer News. The UK Soccer Complex, home of the Wildcats, received nearly 9,000 visitors last season for UK home matches. Kentucky’s attendance figures ranked 19th nationally, while placing first in the Mid-American Conference and second in the NCAA Great Lakes Region.

In 2002, the UK Soccer Complex will again be one of the most exciting places in the nation to watch collegiate soccer. The Soccer Cats are looking to build on a successful 2001 campaign, which saw Kentucky advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years after defeating Mercer to earn their first-ever victory in NCAA Tournament play.

Coach Ian Collins has again set the Cats up with a competitive schedule. Including two preseason contests, UK’s first six matches will be against teams that reached last year’s NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats open their home schedule on Wednesday, Sept. 11, against I-75 rival Cincinnati before hosting the Traditional Bank Invitational Tournament, which features matches against Cleveland State and 2001 NCAA Tournament participant Coastal Carolina.

Indiana, last year’s NCAA College Cup runner-up and College Soccer News‘ preseason No. 1, will travel to Lexington in mid-October. The remainder of the home schedule features matches against IUPUI, Alabama A&M and three MAC contests against Bowling Green, Marshall and Northern Illinois. The Cats will be fighting to defend their first-ever outright MAC regular season title and their third consecutive MAC Tournament Championship.

UK also plays key matches in Louisville (Oct. 2) and Akron (Nov. 1). The Cats defeated the Zips last year to clinch the MAC regular season title on Nov. 3 and the MAC Tournament championship on Nov. 17.

University of Kentucky Men's Soccer Home ScheduleSept. 11     Cincinnati          7:30 p.m.Traditional Bank InvitationalSept. 20     Cleveland State     7:30 p.m.Sept. 22     Coastal Carolina    2:30 p.m.Sept. 27     Bowling Green       8:00 p.m.Sept. 29     IUPUI               2:30 p.m.Oct. 11      Alabama A&M         7:30 p.m.Oct. 16      Indiana             7:30 p.m.Oct. 18      Marshall            5:00 p.m.Oct. 27      Northern Illinois   2:00 p.m.All times Eastern