Oct. 19, 2003
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats (9-4-1, 3-0-0 MAC) handed the No. 12 Akron Zips (10-4-1, 5-1-0 MAC) their first Mid-American Conference loss of the season, 1-0, at the UK Soccer Complex. UK is now the only team that is unbeaten in the MAC. The Wildcats have outscored their conference opponents, 7-0, in three games.
The Wildcats used their usual tough defensive strategy to hold Akron to one shot in the entire first half. Freshman Riley O’Neill scored the game-winner for Kentucky in the 13th minute of play on a header from five yards out. Junior Olli Lehtimaki and sophomore Thomas Senecal each recorded an assist on the play.
“Our game plan was to go at them hard in the first half and we got the goal we were looking for,” head coach Ian Collins said. “In the second half, we sat back a little deeper. We expected a tight game and Akron is obviously a good team. I thought our work rate was unbelievable.”
The Cats out shot the Zips 11-4 in the game and sophomore Andy Gruenebaum picked up his sixth shutout of the season. Gruenebaum did not record a save in the game, but made several clutch plays in the box to prevent scoring opportunities for Akron.
The Zips entered the game undefeated in the MAC and ranked No. 12 in the Soccer America top-25 poll.
The Wildcats return to action on Friday, Oct. 24 at home against another MAC foe, Buffalo. Kentucky’s match against the Bulls is “Senior Night” for Chris Austin,
Brook Pearse,
Steven McLay and Craig Pykett.
