Oct. 25, 2003

HUNTINGTON, WV – Coach Ian Collins and the University of Kentucky men’s soccer team (10-4-1, 4-0-0 MAC) travels to Huntington, W.Va., Sunday, to face the Marshall Thundering Herd (5-10-0, 2-3-0 MAC) in a pivotal Mid-American Conference game.

The Wildcats defeated Buffalo, 2-0, on Friday to push its conference record to 4-0-0 and currently sit at the top of the standings as the only undefeated team in the conference. With two conference games remaining, Kentucky can insure itself a top seed in the MAC Tournament with a win against the Herd on Sunday and secure home field advantage if it reaches the finals of the tournament.

“This is a huge game for us,” Collins said. “We have to come out focused and ready to play from the very beginning.”

Collins’ team has appeared focused in each of its four conference matches to this point. Kentucky has not given up a goal against a MAC opponent this season, outscoring their conference foes 9-0.

“This team is realizing what Kentucky soccer is all about,” Collins said. “We pride ourselves on playing tough defense and holding our opponents to minimal scoring opportunities.”

UK’s win over Buffalo was its 10th of the season, which marks the seventh consecutive season Kentucky has won at least 10 games and the 10th total in its 12-year history.

Marshall is coming off a 1-0 victory over Bowling Green State, the defending MAC regular season champions. The Thundering Herd is on a two-game win streak, including a 9-0 thumping over Alderson-Broaddus.