For the first time in its young 12-year history, the Kentucky men?s soccer program (12-6-1, 6-0-0 MAC) is set to host an NCAA Tournament first round game, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against the Cincinnati Bearcats (10-4-5, 6-2-1 C-USA). The Wildcats are the reigning Mid-American Conference regular season champions and the Bearcats are the reigning Conference USA regular season champions and both teams are ranked in the latest NSCAA Great Lakes Region poll at seventh and fifth, respectively.
Kentucky is led by junior midfielder Jamal Shteiwi, who was recognized as the MAC Player of the Year last week as he led the conference in assists (12) and ranks 10th in the nation in assists per game (0.63). He also netted five goals to lead the Wildcats in scoring with 22 points. In addition to Shteiwi, the Wildcats rely heavily upon a stingy defense anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum. Gruenebaum ranks 17th in the country with a 0.66 goals against average and he became the first goalkeeper in MAC history to complete regular season conference play without relinquishing a goal.
Cincinnati is led by junior midfielder Josh Gardner. Gardner scored six goals this season and recorded six assists to lead the Bearcats in scoring with 18 points. The Houston, Texas, native received first-team C-USA recognition along with another Bearcat midfielder, Tim Brown who also netted six goals on the season and finished second on the team in scoring with 15 points.
The Wildcats defeated Cincinnati earlier this season, 1-0, at UC. Sophomore Thomas Senecal?s header in the 44th minute off a Shteiwi free kick proved to be the difference in the match as Gruenebaum recorded a season-high seven saves and Kentucky started the season 2-0-0.
“Cincinnati is a very good team. We had a heck of a game with them earlier in the season,” Head Coach Ian 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.”
The winner of the Kentucky-Cincinnati match will advance to play No. 8 seed Indiana in Bloomington, Wednesday Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.
Wildcats Survive Tough 2003 Schedule
Kentucky faced one of the nation?s toughest schedules this past season and finished with a solid 12-6-1 record, good enough to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a first round host site. UK opponents have a combined record of 161-126-44 (.553) and its non-conference opponents record is 119-71-30 (.609).
Eight of Kentucky?s opponents qualified for the NCAA Tournament with four receiving first round byes. The Cats went 3-4-1 against tournament teams including a 1-0 win over Akron (14-4-2), who received a first round bye.
Kentucky in the National Spotlight
UK ranks 13th in the nation in team goals against average (0.66) and 19th in shutout percentage (0.47) in the NCAA among Division I men?s programs.
Also, Kentucky players have received national recognition over the course of the season. Jamal Shteiwi ranks 10th in the nation in assists per game average (0.63) and goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum ranks 17th with a 0.66 goals against average.
Gruenebaum was named to the College Soccer News ?National Team of the Week?, Oct. 19-24 and senior defender Chris Austin was named to the Soccer America Men?s Team of the Week the same week after UK picked up big wins over Western Michigan, 3-0, and then No. 12 Akron, 1-0.
Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, etc.
Several Kentucky players garnered recognition from the Mid-American Conference at the conclusion of the season. Junior Jamal Shteiwi became the second player in UK history to be named MAC Player of the Year and freshman Riley O?Neill became the fourth Wildcat to receive Newcomer of the Year recognition. Also, seven Kentucky players were named the All-MAC first and second teams. Shteiwi, Gruenebaum and sophomore Thomas Senecal made the first team, while sophomores Joey Gaworecki and Brandon Stewart along with freshmen O?Neill and Nathan Li received second team honors.
Big MAC Attack
The Wildcats finished the 2003 regular season as one of the most dominant teams in MAC history. Head Coach Ian Collins? team played tough defense all season and went undefeated in conference play as it won its third regular season title in four seasons. More impressively, Kentucky became the first team in conference history to complete the regular season without giving up a single goal in conference play.
UK finished second in assists per game (1.63), goals allowed (13), goals against average (0.66) and shutouts (9) in the conference.
Get ?em Early and Often
All of UK?s victories came when the Cats scored first. Kentucky has outscored its opponents 14-6 in the first half of games this season and 27-13 on the year.
