Oct. 14, 2002
Game Notes in .pdf format
The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team will look to upset its second top-10 team of the season when it plays host to second-ranked Indiana at the UK Soccer Complex on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. The Cats (7-4-0), who defeated No. 10 Maryland in the first week of the season, will be playing for their second win in the 11-year series against perennial powerhouse Indiana (10-1-2).
The Wildcats have won six of their last eight matches, including five shutout victories, but are coming off an overtime loss against Alabama A&M last Friday. Indiana has won nine straight matches after opening the season 1-1-2. The Hoosiers’ only loss of the year came to top-ranked St. John’s.
Kentucky has beaten Indiana just once in 10 meetings but has gained confidence after tight battles with the Hoosiers in recent meetings. Last year’s match in Bloomington went into double-overtime without a goal before Indiana pulled out the 1-0 victory in the 113th minute. IU ended 2001 with a national runner-up finish.
A 1999 NCAA Tournament matchup between the two programs also went nearly two hours without a goal before Indiana slipped by Kentucky, 1-0. The Hoosiers would go on to win their fifth national championship that year.
Earlier this year, the Wildcats faced Indiana at the IPFW Soccer Showcase, an exhibition tournament in Fort Wayne, Ind. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in front of nearly 5,000 fans.
“Playing against Indiana always represents a great challenge for our program,” Coach Ian Collins said. “They are the measuring stick for all soccer programs and we have the utmost respect for IU.
“Right now we are a team of walking wounded. We have four of our original five starting midfield players out of the game for various reasons and another two players doubtful for the game. It will take a monumental effort from all our guys to pull together and give it all they have against the No. 2 team in the country.”
Tickets for the match are free for students, with a valid ID, and cost five dollars for adults and two dollars for children and seniors.
