Nov. 15, 2002
The fifth-seeded University of Kentucky men’s soccer team (10-9) dropped a 2-1 decision to top-seeded Bowling Green (6-12) in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament on Friday, Nov. 15, at Mickey Cochrane Field in Bowling Green, Ohio. The loss breaks Kentucky’s nine-game MAC Tournament winning streak, which dated back to the beginning of the 1999 Tournament.
The teams combined for only eight shots in a slow first half, but the homestanding Falcons were able to capitalize on one of the few chances. In the 34th minute, Matt Martinka sent a free kick into Kentucky’s box. BG’s Eric Duda centered the ball which found Matt Leardini behind the UK defense. Leardini gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead which held through the half.
Kentucky went on the offensive in the second half, out-shooting Bowling Green by a 16-5 mark and earning nine corner kicks. But sloppy field conditions and gusty winds did not help the Cats, who managed to put only four of their shots on goal.
Against the run of play, Bowling Green would net an insurance goal in the 76th minute. Cory Stevens curled a shot off the bottom of the crossbar and into the net to give BG a 2-0 advantage with only 14 minutes left in regulation.
UK continued to fight, finally breaking through at 88:05 when a cross from senior John Monebrake was headed in by freshman Anthony Peters for his second goal of the tournament. The Falcons killed the final two minutes of play and Kentucky was unable to equalize.
Bowling Green will face Akron in the MAC Championship on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m. The Zips advanced past Friday’s first semifinal, 4-3, in a penalty kick shootout.
1 2 FKentucky 0 1 1Bowling Green 1 1 2
33:56 BG Leardini (Duda, Martinka)75:27 BG Stevens (Seip)88:05 UK Peters (Monebrake)
Shots: UK 20; BG 9Saves: UK 2; BG 6Corners: UK 10; BG 1Fouls: UK 15; BG 24
