Nov. 5, 2002
The Ninth-Annual Mid-American Conference Championships…
The Wildcats have won the past three MAC Tournaments. Their three championship titles tie them with Bowling Green for the most tournament crowns. Akron won the MAC Tournament in 1998. Miami (Ohio) won the first MAC Tournament in 1994.
All-Time Against the MAC…
The Cats hold a 40-19-3 all-time record against the six other schools in the Mid-American Conference. In 62 matches, the Cats have scored 113 goals, while allowing 75 goals.
Vs. Record GF/AAkron 3-6-1 9/18Bowling Green 7-6-1 13/19Buffalo 4-1-0 11/5Marshall 8-4-1 26/17N. Illinois 7-1-0 21/7W. Michigan 11-1-0 33/9
UK Against Buffalo…
Kentucky is 4-1 all-time against the Bulls. They have outscored Buffalo 11-5 in five previous matchups, all during the MAC regular season in the month of October. The first three matches were played on a Friday, with the Cats winning all three. The teams have split the last two matches, played on Sundays.
Day Date Site ScoreFri. Nov. 8, 2002 Huntington, W.V. ???Sun. Oct. 20, 2002 Buffalo UK 1, UB 2Sun. Oct. 14, 2001 Lexington UK 3, UB 1Fri. Oct. 13, 2000 Buffalo UK 1, UB 0Fri. Oct. 15, 1999 Lexington UK 2, UB 0Fri. Oct. 9, 1998 Buffalo UK 4, UB 2
Tournament Winning Percentage…
The Wildcats’ 13-4 all-time mark at the MAC Tournament gives them the highest winning percentage of any MAC team.
Team Record Percentage GF/GA Best FinishAkron 8-7 0.533 21/12 '98 ChampionBowling Green 13-5 0.722 30/15 '95-97 ChampionBuffalo 2-4 0.333 6/7 '98,'00 SemifinalistKentucky 13-4 0.765 21/12 '99-'01 ChampionMarshall 3-5 0.375 9/12 '99-'00 SemifinalistN. Illinois 2-5 0.286 9/13 '99 FinalistW. Michigan 2-8 0.200 11/26 '94,'99 Semifinalist
UK All-Time at the Tournament…
UK is 13-4 all-time in the MAC Tournament. In seven years in the league, the Cats have advanced to the semifinals of every tournament they have participated in. Kentucky has scored 21 goals in 17 matches, allowing their opposition to score just 11 times.
2001 at Akron
Quarterfinals: Kentucky, first round bye
Semifinals: Kentucky 1, Bowling Green 0
Championship: Kentucky 1, Akron 0 (2OT)
2000 at Buffalo
Quarterfinals: Kentucky 1, N. Illinois 0
Semifinals: Kentucky 1, Marshall 0
Championship: Kentucky 1, Bowling Green 0
1999 at N. Illinois
Quarterfinals: Kentucky 1, E. Michigan 0
Semifinals: Kentucky 3, W. Michigan 0
Championship: Kentucky 2, N. Illinois 1
1998 at Kentucky
Quarterfinals: Kentucky 1, E. Michigan 0
Semifinals: Bowling Green 2, Kentucky 0 (OT)
Championship: Akron 4, Bowling Green 1
1997 at Miami
Quarterfinals: Kentucky 2, E. Michigan 0
Semifinals: Bowling Green 1, Kentucky 0
Championship: Bowling Green 1, Akron 0
1996 at Bowling Green
Quarterfinals: Kentucky 1, W. Michigan 0
Semifinals: Kentucky 2, Akron 1
Championship: Bowling Green 4, Kentucky 0
1995 at W. Michigan
Quarterfinals: Kentucky 4, E. Michigan 1
Semifinals: Bowling Green 1, Kentucky 0 (OT)
Championship: Bowling Green 2, Akron 0
Championship Results…
Year Champion Runner-up2001 Kentucky Akron2000 Kentucky Bowling Green1999 Kentucky N. Illinois1998 Akron Bowling Green1997 Bowling Green Akron1996 Bowling Green Kentucky1995* Bowling Green Akron1994 Miami Bowling Green*Kentucky joined the MAC in 1995.
Quality Competition…
The Wildcats are the only team in the MAC whose opponents combined for a winning record in 2002.
Akron: 133-138-20Bowling Green: 137-146-22Buffalo: 102-158-21Kentucky: 157-141-24Marshall: 143-146-17N. Illinois: 135-141-15W. Michigan: 114-167-20
Sweet Revenge…
Only once in their seven years in the league has Kentucky dropped two matches to one conference opponent in a year (Bowling Green, 1996). The Cats have avenged three losses from the regular season by defeating that team in the MAC Tournament, a feat they hope to accomplish against Buffalo.
2000, Marshall
Lost in regular season, 0-4, Oct. 22.
Won in tournament, 1-0, Nov. 5.
1999, N. Illinois
Lost in regular season, 2-4, Oct. 29
Won in tournament, 2-1, Nov. 12
1996, Akron
Lost in regular season, 2-4, Oct. 12.
Won in tournament, 2-0, Nov. 16.
Neutral’s Nice…
Kentucky is 6-1 the past two seasons when playing at a neutral site. That stretch includes victories over No. 15 Furman and No. 10 Maryland. They also have a pair of wins against Butler and an NCAA Tournament victory over Mercer. From 1999-2001, UK won all five of their neutral-site matches in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Cats are 9-2 all-time when playing at a neutral site in the MAC Tournament.
Good Timing, Good Goalkeeping…
In winning the past three conference tournaments, UK has allowed only one goal in eight matches (UK defeated Northern Illinois 2-1 in the 1999 championship). All but one of those matches was decided by only one goal (Kentucky defeated Western Michigan 3-0 in their 1999 semifinal match).
Last Time the Wildcats Were…
Playing against the Bulls
Oct. 20, 2002: UK dropped a 2-1 decision at Buffalo. Senior Monty Frazier scored off an assist from junior Chris Austin. The Bulls’ Geoff Thompson scored a pair of goals, including the gamewinner in the 79th minute. Prior to that match, UK was 4-0 all-time against Buffalo.
On the pitch
Nov. 1, 2002: UK ended the 2002 regular season at Akron. The Zips took an early lead, but Kentucky tied the match in the 57th minute when sophomore Jamal Shteiwi scored his team-leading sixth goal of the year. The Cats couldn’t hold on, though, as UA’s Matt Boswell scored a pair of goals to give Akron the win.
Playing in the MAC Tournament
Nov. 11-18, 2002: UK won the 2001 Mid-American Conference Tournament, held in Akron, Ohio. The Cats earned a first-round bye after sweeping the 2001 MAC regular season schedule. In the semifinals, UK defeated Bowling Green, 1-0, on a Chris Soler goal (assisted by Chris McAlpine and J.D. Stephenson). UK hosted the championship, where they took nearly 114 minutes before Ilkka Jantti scored the gamewinner (off an assist from Nathan Fleetwood).
Shutout Shutdown…
Kentucky is the only team in the MAC that has not been shutout all season. The UK defense has held five opponents scoreless.
Shutout Differential
Team Allowed Zero Scored Zero Diff.Akron 3 3 0Bowling Green 2 7 -5Buffalo 2 5 -3Kentucky 5 0 +5Marshall 5 2 +3N. Illinois 2 6 -4W. Michigan 2 8 -6
Wins Vs. Losses…
In the nine matches that UK has won this season, the Wildcats have averaged 2.00 goals per game while allowing only 0.44 goals per game. In eight losses, the Cats have allowed an average of 2.54 goals per game, while scoring 1.21 goals per game. In the nine wins, UK’s goalkeepers have saved 90.0% of the shots they have faced, as opposed to a 61.1 save percentage in eight losses
Close Calls…
Of Kentucky’s 17 games, 12 have been decided by only one goal. The Cats are 6-6 in one-goal games, while going 3-2 in games decided by two or more goals. 11 of the 12 MAC Tournament games have been decided by only one goal (25 of 41 overall).
It Just Take Some Time…
The Wildcats have dominated “The Middle” of matches this season. They have outscored their opponents 20-7 from the 16th minute until the 75th. Half of those goals have come in the 20-minute window surrounding halftime (between the 36th and 55th minute), where UK holds a plus-seven goal differential.
All-Tournament Teams…
The Cats have played in three tournaments this season and have received a total of eight All-Tournament selections. Junior Nathan Fleetwood, freshman Dani Kamras and senior J.D. Stephenson were recognized at the Virginia Soccer Classic. Junior Chris Austin and sophomore Jamal Shteiwi earned All-Tournament status at the Furman Invitational. Fleetwood, Stephenson and senior Greg Raber earned the honor in the UK Invitational.
Stephenson (2000) and fellow-senior Chris McDaniel (2001) have both been named to the Mid-American Conference All-Tournament Team.
Successful Seniors…
Senior J.D. Stephenson and Chris McDaniel are 8-0 all-time in the MAC Tournament. They are the only Cats who have been a part of every championship team, and will be looking to make a clean sweep this year. Stephenson has two assists in tournament play, while McDaniel has scored a pair of goals. Each has received All-Tournament honors.
Following Fleetwood…
Junior Nathan Fleetwood is the first Wildcat in history to post two consecutive seasons with at least six assists. He is currently 17th in career points (24) and tied for sixth in career assists (12). Fleetwood has scored one gamewinner this season (IUPUI), assisting on another (Cincinnati). A first-team All-MAC selection in 2001, Fleetwood has matched his season output from last season in six fewer games. Playing in only 14 matches this season, he leads the team in assists (six) and is second in points (12).
Did You See Shteiwi…
Sophomore Jamal Shteiwi scored his first career goal against Butler, a gamewinner. He is the team’s leading scorer, with six goals and an assist for 13 total points. He also leads the team with two gamewinners and is one of only three Wildcats that have seen action in all 17 games this year.
He Kamras, He Saw, He Conquered…
Freshman Dani Kamras is second on the team in goals, fourth in assists and third in points this season. He has scored two gamewinners and assisted on two others. Kamras leads the team with four points in five conference matches. He has also played in all 17 matches this season without receiving a yellow card.
Young McDaniel Does Some Harm…
E-I-E-I-Goal. Senior Chris McDaniel is fourth on the team in points this year even though he has seen action in only 12 of the team’s 17 games. A four-year letterwinner, McDaniel is the active leader in career goals (13) and points (30). He ranks sixth and 11th on the all-time goals and points lists, respectively.
Modig, Mo’ Assists…
Freshman Jani Modig is currently second on the team in assists (five) and tied four fourth in points (seven). He has registered three assists on game-winning goals, creating decisive opportunities against Winthrop, IUPUI and No. 10 Maryland.
Stephenson Shines…
Senior J.D. Stephenson has anchored the Kentucky defense this season, starting in 14 of the 15 games he has played in. Stephenson is currently fourth on the all-time games started list (77) and tied for sixth all-time in games played (78).
Austin Capitalizes…
Junior Chris Austin has started in 14 matches this season, seeing action in all but one game for UK. The defensive midfielder scored his first career goal against league-rival Western Michigan, a gamewinner in the 87th minute. Austin is second in conference points with three, after also adding an assist against Buffalo.
Smokin’ Mo’ Frazier…
Senior Monty Frazier scored UK’s first goal of 2002; it was also the first goal of his career. He went on to net the gamewinner against I-75 rival Cincinnati and also score the game-tying goal against league-foe Buffalo.
Show Me the Money…
Senior John Monebrake is second among active players on the career goals (9) and points (25) list at UK. The forward led the Cats in goals a season ago, with eight, and was named MAC Newcomer of the Year. A 2001 first-team All-MAC selection, Monebrake is currently third on the team with four assists this season.
Between the Pipes…
In 24 games over two seasons in the Bluegrass, senior Greg Raber posted 12 shutouts and held a goals against average of 0.85 – a new UK record. With Raber sidelined by injury, Andy Gruenebaum, a redshirt-freshman, was thrown directly into the fire. His first collegiate action was in UK’s MAC opener against Marshall. Through five matches, Gruenebaum has allowed nine goals in 466 minutes of work.
