ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Kentucky was victimized by a ?golden goal? for the second time in as many weekends Friday afternoon, as Michigan?s Melissa Dobbyn found the net in the 96th minute to hand Kentucky a 2-1 defeat at the U-M Soccer Field. The loss marks UK?s second overtime loss to a ranked opponent after the Cats suffered defeats at the hands of No. 15 West Virginia and the 20th-ranked Wolverines.
The opening minutes of the match featured scoring opportunities for both teams. Michigan?s Megan Tuura saved a shot from UK?s Jen Weakley in the fifth minute, and Kentucky?s Anne Ogundele responded with a save of a Melissa Dobbyn shot one minute later. Kentucky?s Courtney McCrudden lined up a corner kick in the seventh minute and found Kristin Moyer, who boomed a six-yard one-timer past Tuura to give the Cats a 1-0 lead. Michigan managed 11 shots in the remainder of the half, but turned each scoring attempt away to preserve the lead going into the intermission.
In the 64th minute, UK?s Ogundele rose among several Wildcat defenders and Wolverine defenders to capture a Michigan cross from the right flank. The ball escaped from Ogundele?s hands, and Michigan?s Therese Heaton tapped in the loose ball to even the match at one. UK and UM registered fruitless scoring opportunities throughout the remainder of the half. Michigan?s Tuura turned in a fine save of a 71st-minute header from Kentucky?s Whitney Stipetich. Ogundele recorded another save on a 76th-minute free kick from Laura Tanchon. Michigan?s Jamie Artsis struck the crossbar two minutes later, and Ogundele stood tall in the 86th minute with a save of Dobbyn?s well-placed shot.
In the ensuing overtime period, UK freshman Sarah Gaunt fed sophomore Elisabeth Jones for a one-on-one opportunity against Michigan?s Tuura. The Wolverine keeper managed a tremendous save of Jones? seven-yard shot that deflected off the keeper?s glove and over the goal. With the ball landing out of bounds via the Wolverine save, UK prepared to launch a corner kick. However, the officials signaled for a Michigan goal kick, and on the ensuing possession, UM?s Dobbyn scored the game winner in the closing minutes of the first overtime.
Kentucky falls to 0-3 on the season and will look for its initial victory of 2004 Sunday morning when the Cats meet Michigan State. The match is slated for 11 a.m. EDT at MSU?s Old College Field.
