Sept. 2, 2002

Cleveland, Ohio – Nathan Fleetwood, a junior midfielder on the University of Kentucky men’s soccer team, has been chosen as the first Mid-American Conference Player of the Week of the 2002 season, the conference office announced Monday. Fleetwood was honored for his play in last weekend’s Virginia Soccer Classic, where he tallied a pair of assists and led the 20th-ranked Cats against two top-10 teams.

On Friday, Fleetwood and the Wildcats faced off against the Virginia Cavaliers, who were ranked as high as second nationally in preseason polls. With the score tied at one early in the second half, Fleetwood broke down three UVA defenders and served a cross to senior Chris McDaniel for the go-ahead goal. The Cavs eventually rallied for a 3-2 victory.

Fleetwood was equally impressive on Sunday when UK faced 10th-ranked Maryland. In the 11th minute of the match, a Fleetwood free kick found the head of freshman Lasse Lagerblom, giving Kentucky an early lead. The Wildcats defeated the top-10 Terrapins by a score 2-1 and claimed second place in the prestigious tournament.

A native of Adelaide, Australia, Fleetwood was one of three Kentucky players to be named to the Virginia Soccer Classic All-Tournament team. He was also named a member of the National Team of the Week by College Soccer News.

Fleetwood led the Wildcats in assists in the 2001 season while appearing in all but one match. A physical education major, he transferred to Kentucky prior to the 2001 season after leading Virginia Intermont College to conference and regional championships in 2000.

UK Coach Ian Collins believes that Fleetwood and the Wildcats have a lot to look forward to in the 2002 season. “This is not only a testament to Nathan’s outstanding individual play against two of the top-10 teams in the nation, but also to the efforts of all of our players,” Collins said.