LEXINGTON ? In a physical game from start to finish, the Kentucky men?s soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against Georgia Southern on Friday night in the UK Invitational at the UK Soccer Complex.
The tie is the first of the season for the Wildcats, who now stand at 3-2-1 on the year. The Eagles moved to 1-1-2. Kentucky?s home unbeaten streak now stands at seven games dating back to last year.
The Wildcats scored first in the 34th minute when Anthony Peters broke through for his first career goal. The Baton Rouge, La., native took a cross from Olli Lehtimaki directly in front of the goal and beat Adam Webb for a 1-0 Kentucky lead.
Georgia Southern answered in the 40th minute on a free kick by Brad Mitchum. He booted it from 35 yards out and it found the corner of the net after goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum got his hands on it.
Kentucky had dominated the first 35 minutes of play, producing six shots to the Eagles two. However, the game was knotted at 1-1 heading into the half.
In the second half, the Wildcats had numerous chances to break the tie. Riley O?Neill missed high in the 48th minute and Jamal Shteiwi bounced a shot off the crossbar in the 70th minute.
The game grew increasingly physical in the second frame as the teams combined for eight yellow cards and a red card in the second half. Chad Kilpatrick drew the red and was sent off in the 88th minute for Georgia Southern.
Playing a man up, Kentucky dominated the overtimes, but could not find the back of the net. In the second extra period, the Wildcats had three tremendous opportunities, but were unable to connect on them.
Anthony Peters was fed a beautiful ball though a seam in the Eagle defense but missed wide from six yards out going for the far corner. Later in the period, Adam Walker had two headers from point-blank range find the crossbar in the span of 1 minute, 12 seconds.
Peters also sent a shot high with less than a minute remaining.
Kentucky returns to action on Sunday when it hosts Winthrop at 2:30 p.m. Louisville meets Georgia Southern that day at Noon at the UK Soccer Complex.
Louisville was scheduled to meet Winthrop in the tournament opener, but the game was moved to Cardinal Park in Louisville due to weather considerations in the Lexington area.
