DALLAS, Texas ? The Kentucky men?s soccer team played most of the second half a man down and was unable to hold off 17th-ranked Tulsa in a 2-1 defeat under a blistering sun on Sunday in the SMU Mi Cocina Classic.
In the 56th minute, Anthony Peters was ejected for receiving his second yellow card of the game after colliding with goalkeeper Brad Lowyns on a jump ball in the box. Peters was given two of the five cards Kentucky received in the game.
Playing a man down, the Wildcats had a go-ahead goal taken away in the 65th minute after Andrew Alexander?s header found the back of the net. On a controversial call, Thomas Senecal was called offsides on the play despite lying injured in the box. He had fallen hard after attempting a header off a throw in just seconds before.
With the goal taken away, the Golden Hurricane capitalized and scored less than a minute later. Andy Gruenebaum made a tremendous save on a Cary Wicker shot, but he could not corral the rebound and Daniel Wasson tallied the winner.
Gruenebaum had seven saves on Tulsa?s 22 shots. Kentucky fired nine shots in the contest.
The Golden Hurricane got on the board first with a goal in the 21st minute. The Wildcat defense headed out a cross from deep in the box. The ball bounced right to Todd Goddard just inside the 18-yard mark and he put it in the back of the net.
Jamal Shteiwi scored a magnificent goal to tie the game, 1-1, in the 28th minute. He took a pass from Nathan Li in Kentucky’s half of the field and beat two defenders in a brilliant run down the left side. He sidestepped a third defender once in the box before lifting a shot over Lowyns from point blank range.
It was the Shteiwi?s first goal of the season and the 13th of his career. He now has four points on the season and has a point in three straight games dating back to last season.
Shteiwi and Brandon Stewart were each named to the All-Tournament team for their performance over the weekend.
Riley O?Neill had a chance to give Kentucky the lead when he found himself behind the Tulsa defense in the 44th minute. However, Lowyns came out of goal and was able to deflect O?Neill?s shot.
Despite playing a man down, the Wildcats forced the action once falling behind and generated numerous scoring chances. However, they were unable to capitalize on any of them and took the loss.
It is the first time since 1998 Kentucky has started a season 0-2.The Wildcats dropped its opener to No. 7 SMU on Friday.
Kentucky will return to action on Tuesday when it travels to Louisville for a 7 p.m. contest with the Cardinals.
