Sept. 22, 2003

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Jamal Shteiwi’s heroic effort against Louisville and solid game against Central Florida was rewarded Monday by the Mid-American Conference, as Shteiwi was named Player of the Week.

“Jamal has had a terrific start to the season,” head coach Ian Collins said. “He worked hard all off season at his fitness and it is really paying off for him.”

Shteiwi’s fitness and toughness were tested on Sept. 16 when the Cats faced in-state rival Louisville. The junior midfielder suffered from a head cold that nearly kept him out of action, but was feeling well enough to play by game time. The Cats and Cardinals played an intense 103-minute game that went into double overtime tied, 1-1, when Shteiwi weaved through three Cardinal defenders to beat Louisville goalkeeper David Gisler for the win.

Shteiwi’s goal lifted Kentucky to its second consecutive victory over Louisville and propelled the Cats to a 4-0 record on the season. On Friday, the Cincinnati product recorded an assist on sophomore Nick Aguilar’s goal against Central Florida in a game that ended in a 1-1 tie.

“We still have not seen his best, but if he maintains his improvement and keeps working hard at his game he should have an outstanding college career and possibly beyond that,” Collins said.

Shteiwi has scored a goal or recorded an assist in five of Kentucky’s six games thus far this season.

In other soccer related news, Kentucky and its 4-1-1 record have garnered national attention in the latest College Soccer News top 25 poll. The Cats were unable to break into the top tier of teams, but received votes in the poll for the second consecutive week. Also, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America has Kentucky ranked as the No. 7 team in the Great Lakes Region for the second consecutive week.