Sept. 16, 2003
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior All-American Jamal Shteiwi proved once again that he is a primetime player when he scored in the 104th minute of Kentucky’s (4-0-0) double overtime 2-1 victory over in-state rival Louisville (3-3-0). The Cincinnati, Ohio, native weaved his way through three Cardinal defenders to beat Louisville goalkeeper David Gisler in the lower right-hand corner of the goal in Kentucky’s home opener at the UK Soccer Complex in front of 1,682 fans.
“Last year, we lost a lot of these overtime games,” Shteiwi said. “It shows the heart and determination of this team to step it up and win the game.”
Kentucky got on board first in the 37th minute when sophomore transfer Nick Aguilar headed in his first goal as a Wildcat off a double assist from Shteiwi and sophomore Thomas Senecal. Louisville responded immediately in the 42nd minute with a goal of its own. Ryan Pomeroy scored from 15 yards out to tie the game at 1-1. Pomeroy’s goal was the first goal UK has allowed in nearly three and a half games.
The Louisville goal served as a wakeup call for Kentucky’s defense and it became more relentless than ever. The Wildcats dominated the Cardinals from then on and didn’t allow a single shot attempt after halftime. UK outshot Louisville 13-3 on the game.
The game remained tied for the remainder of regulation and one overtime as UK missed on six shot attempts. However, Kentucky head coach Ian Collins and the undefeated soccer Cats refused to settle for a tie with one of its biggest rivals.
“The mentality of this year’s team is different,” Collins said. “This group is very dedicated and focused. They looked at me in overtime and said, ‘We’re going to win the game’ and that gives me, as a coach, a lot of confidence and I didn’t doubt them for one minute.”
Ironically, it was questionable whether Shteiwi would even play against Louisville due to cold symptoms.
“I talked to him earlier today and he didn’t look great,” Collins said. “Tonight he felt great and wanted to play. Jamal is a very special player and he was outstanding tonight. I asked him for one piece of magic and he brought it.”
The crowd of 1,682 was the fifth largest in UK men’s soccer history at the UK Soccer Complex.
The Cats have very little time to celebrate the victory over Louisville. Kentucky will play host to the UK Invitational this weekend, Sept. 19 and 21 at the UK Soccer Complex. On Friday, Sept. 19 Louisville will face-off against Butler at 5 p.m. followed by Kentucky and Central Florida at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, Louisville will take on Central Florida at noon, followed by a showdown between UK and Butler at 2 p.m.
