Sept. 12, 2002
The 19th-ranked University of Kentucky women’s soccer team will play host to Michigan State on Friday, Sept. 13 in the 100th home game in the program’s 11-year history. The Wildcats (3-1-0) are 6-2-2 in home-opening matches since 1992 and are an even 1-1-1 in the series with the Spartans (3-0-0).
“After three weeks on the road, it’s nice to finally be at home this weekend,” Coach Warren Lipka said. “Michigan State is a much-improved club out of the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans are undefeated coming into Friday’s game, they’re much more talented than they were a season ago and they’re playing with a tremendous amount of purpose.”
MSU has not allowed a goal in 2002, posting shutouts over Bowling Green (4-0 on Sept. 1), Eastern Michigan (3-0 on Sept. 6) and Oakland (2-0 on Sept. 8) to keep its record unblemished after three matches. Junior midfielder Michelle Perun leads the Spartans in goals scored (3) and points (7), while freshman midfielder Erin Konheim has dished out three assists in as many games. Now in his 11th season in East Lansing, Coach Tom Saxton owns a career record of 105-98-17 (.516).
The Wildcats open play at home after three weekends on the road to start the 2002 season. Lipka earned his 125th win directing the UK women’s soccer program on Sept. 6 when he led his Wildcats to a 2-0 blanking of host No. 24 BYU in Provo, Utah. The two-time SEC Coach of the Year brings a 125-78-10 (.610) mark into Friday night’s match. Junior midfielder Elizabeth Ramsey has collected three goals and an assist in her past three games to lead UK with seven points.
The Wildcats moved from “The Cage” on Jerry Claiborne Way (formerly Sports Center Drive) into the UK Soccer Complex on Oct. 25, 1996 and defeated Vanderbilt, 2-1, to christen their new facility. From 1992-2001, UK has registered a 64-32-3 (.661) record when playing in Lexington.
– UK –
