Kentucky plays host to Cincinnati in 48-team event, Saturday.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s soccer team (12-6-1) received an at-large bid to the 45th annual NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championships, Monday afternoon. The Cats, the reigning Mid-American Conference regular season champions, are set to face Cincinnati (10-4-5), the reigning Conference USA regular season champion, in the first round of the tournament, Saturday Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the UK Soccer Complex.
The match will mark Kentucky’s fourth tournament appearance in five years and its first home match in NCAA postseason competition. UK made the NCAA Tournament three consecutive seasons, 1999-2001, advancing to the second round in 2000 and 2001. The Cats did not allow a goal this year in conference regular season play.
“I’m very happy for our players because they worked really hard all season,” head coach Ian Collins said. “I hope it’s just beginning. This is the second season and it’s great to play at home. It will be great to get our fans back out to the UK Soccer Complex. I’m really happy for everybody.”
Joining Kentucky in the 48-team field are MAC foes Akron (14-4-2) and Western Michigan (12-6-2), the conference tournament champions. Eight of UK’s 2003 opponents received bids to play for the College Cup with three teams, North Carolina (12-3-4), Indiana (12-3-5) and Washington (12-4-2) receiving top-10 seeds.
The Cats went 3-4-1 against teams who qualified for the tournament, including a 1-0 victory over Cincinnati on Sept. 11. Kentucky is currently ranked seventh in the NSCAA Great Lakes Region with the Bearcats checking in at No. 5.
“Cincinnati is a very good team. We had a heck of a game with them earlier in the season,” Collins said. “They’re a terrific team, very well coached and it will be a heck of a game. Every game at this stage is a tough game and we better be ready to play our best.”
UC went 6-2-1 in conference play this season including a defeat over No. 7-seed Saint Louis, 4-3, in double overtime, earlier in the season. The Bearcats, who will make their second NCAA appearance in school history, were upset in the C-USA tournament, 1-0, by Charlotte.
Tickets to the first round match are $7 for adults and $5 for students. Due to NCAA Regulations, everyone must purchase a ticket and the gates to the UK Soccer Complex will open at 6:00 p.m.
A complete tournament bracket can be found at .
