Oct. 31, 2003
DEKALB, ILL. — The No. 24 University of Kentucky men’s soccer team completed its undefeated run in Mid-American Conference play by downing the Northern Illinois Huskies (3-12-2, 2-4-0 MAC), 1-0, at Huskie Soccer Field in DeKalb, Ill., Friday afternoon. Kentucky (12-4-1, 6-0-0 MAC) has won five consecutive matches and goes undefeated in the MAC for the second time in three years. Also, UK became the only team in MAC history to complete the regular season without giving up a goal against a conference opponent as it picked up its fifth consecutive shutout.
“This is great for our team,” head coach Ian Collins said. “To go through six tough games and not give up a goal is a tribute to the entire team.”
Sophomore Joey Gaworecki struck his second goal of the season and game-winner in the 22nd minute. The Houston, Texas, native received a pass from Jamal Shteiwi from the right side of the box, turned and whipped a shot into the lower right-hand corner of the net past the Northern Illinois goalkeeper from 22 yards out. The assist was Shteiwi’s 12th of the season.
“Joey hit a terrific goal,” Collins said. “He hit an open space and hit a hammer of a shot left-footed and gave us the individual spark we needed to get the win. I thought we had a couple more chances that we missed to score. However, Northern Illinois is a good team. They battled and fought with us the whole match. They are a tough team and I think they’ll be very dangerous in the tournament next week.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum made two crucial saves in the match as he recorded his ninth shutout of the season. Gruenebaum has not given up a goal in 480 minutes dating back to the Wildcats’ 2-1 loss against then No. 3 North Carolina.
The Wildcats snapped a Northern Illinois three-game home win streak. UK finished the month of October with an impressive 8-1-0 record in which it outscored opponents 17-3.
Kentucky concludes regular season play Sunday at No. 11 Indiana (9-3-4, 4-0-1 Big Ten). The match is the final regular season contest for IU legendary coach Jerry Yeagley, who is retiring at the end of the season.
UK then heads to the MAC Tournament in Bowling Green, Ohio, where it will play as the No. 1 seed. Kentucky will face the winner of the Bowling Green State and Northern Illinois in the semifinals of the tournament on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m.
As the No. 1 seed, Kentucky will host the championship of the tournament should it advance in the semifinal matchup.
