Oct. 8, 2002
Greg Raber, a senior goalkeeper on the University of Kentucky men’s soccer team, has been chosen as the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Raber was honored for his play last week against Winthrop and Louisville, against whom he made 10 saves and allowed no goals.
On Wednesday, Raber protected a fragile 1-0 lead against in-state rival Louisville. He made three key stops on the day and neutralized the Cardinals’ counterattack. Raber saved the game in the 65th minute when he blocked a penalty kick by U of L’s Courtenay Commander.
Raber had another strong performance on Sunday against Winthrop. The Eagles outshot UK by a mark of 13-12, but Raber’s seven saves allowed Kentucky to take the 2-0 victory. Raber’s biggest play of the day came when he stopped a dangerous header in the 63rd minute that had resulted from a Winthrop corner kick.
“Greg’s play in the last few games has been outstanding,” Coach Ian Collins said. “He is showing why he is one of the premier goalkeepers in the nation.”
The Raleigh, N.C., native has played all 904 minutes in goal for Kentucky this season and holds a 1.10 goals against average. A second-team All-MAC selection in 2001, he led the country last season with a 0.40 goals against average. Raber, a political science major, earned MAC Player of the Week honors on Oct. 29, 2001, after shutting out No. 15 Furman, the highest scoring team in the nation.
This marks the fourth time this season that UK has had the MAC Player of the Week. On Sept. 2, Nathan Fleetwood earned the honor after leading the Cats to a 3-2 victory over 10th-ranked Maryland at the Virginia Soccer Classic. Sophomore Jamal Shteiwi was recognized on Sept. 9 for his play in Kentucky’s 1-0 shutout of Butler at the Furman Invitational. Fleetwood earned a second award on Sept. 23 for his play in the UK/Traditional Bank Invitational Tournament.
Kentucky will play host to Alabama A&M this Friday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m. That match begins a three-game homestand that will include No. 2 Indiana and the MAC-opener against Marshall.
