Sept. 11, 2002
The 22nd-ranked Kentucky Wildcats (3-2) won their home opener Wednesday night against the Cincinnati Bearcats (1-2), by a score of 1-0. Senior Monty Frazier scored the game-winner for Kentucky in 25th minute and goalkeeper Greg Raber made six saves to earn his second consecutive shutout of the season in front of a crowd of 832 at the UK Soccer Complex.
The Wildcats outshot Cincinnati by a mark of 6-4 in the first half, controlling enough of the action to take a one-goal lead. Junior Nathan Fleetwood fired a shot from near the penalty mark, which was blocked to Frazier, who put home the rebound at the 24:54 mark. Frazier’s goal was his second of the season.
In the second half, the Bearcats were more aggressive, but still unable to get a goal. Cincinnati had ten shots in the half, but only threatened a couple of times. UK’s defense forced six errant shots and the other four were handled by Raber, who posted the ninth shutout of his Kentucky career.
The Bearcats ended up with a 14-7 advantage in the shooting category and had a 8-2 advantage on corner kicks. The Kentucky defense played well, however, limiting Cincinnati’s leading scorer, Wiremu Patrick to only one shot.
“It was a hard-fought match,” Frazier said. “We would have liked a better score, but we’ll take the win.”
UK Coach Ian Collins earned his 99th win at Kentucky, where he is in his ninth year. The Wildcats had not beaten Cincinnati since 1995, losing the past three meeting against the Bearcats.
“We had a battle tonight,” Collins said. “Cincinnati came out and fought, but our guys fought back. I think they were a little tired, but we’re happy with the win.”
Kentucky has been on the road the past three weekends, and has also played three matches in the past six days. They have a nine-day break before hosting Cleveland State and Coastal Carolina in the Traditional Bank Invitational on Sept. 20 and 22.
1 2 FKentucky 1 0 1Cincinnati 0 0 0
Scoring SummaryUKMonty Frazier (Nathan Fleetwood)24:54
Shots: UK 7; UC 14Saves: UK 6; UC 2Corners: UK 2; UC 8Fouls: UK 21; UC 14Yellow Cards: UK 5; UC 1Attendance: 832
