MIAMI – The Kentucky men’s soccer team came away with its school-record third straight tie on Friday night as it opened its Conference USA season with a 1-1 draw against Florida International at University Park.
The game was the fourth straight for the UK to venture into overtime, which is also a school record. The Wildcats now stand at 3-2-4 on the year and 0-0-1 in league play. The Golden Panthers, who own the best overall record in the conference, are 5-2-1 and 0-0-1 in C-USA. Just a week ago FIU was ranked 25th in the nation.
The Wildcats opened up the scoring when Brandon Stewart (Dallas, Texas/Creekview) blasted a header past FIU goalkeeper Shawn Crowe in the 26th minute. The goal, his second of the year, came off a free kick from Michael D’Agostino just outside the left side of the 18.
As the second half opened, UK backed off the offensive, hoping to preserve the lead. The defensive strategy created a lopsided stats total in which FIU outshot the Wildcats 35-10, including 19-2 in the second half. However, most of those shots came from at least 25 yards out and were not on frame.
Despite playing one forward, Kentucky created a tremendous chance to extend its lead in the 55th minute when Riley O’Neill (Campbell River, British Columbia/Tiberline) blasted a shot just outside the far post from point-blank range. He had won the ball in the box after a beautiful service from Thomas Senecal (Bethesda, Md./The Maret School).
In the 60th minute, Carron Williams, who leads the Golden Panthers with six goals this season, put forth a tremendous one-man effort by beating two Wildcat defenders before feeding Edgard Correa on the left side. Correa took the feed and sent his shot into the side of the net.
The equalizer came in the 70th minute on a penalty kick by Lucas Scudeler in the right upper 90. The penalty was awarded after a scrum right in front of the net. The action began when Gruenebaum couldn’t hold the rebound on a shot from Pierre HoSang. Two Golden Panthers jumped at the ball and one was taken down in the box to force the whistle.
David Hope had two dangerously close chances for the winner late in the 82nd minute. He had a header from less than three yards out saved by Gruenebaum. As he fell backwards into the goal, Gruenebaum managed to keep the ball from crossing the line.
Less than a minute later Hope broke free on the left side of the box and had his shot deflected just wide by Gruenebaum. The saves were two of 11 for Gruenebaum on the evening as he played an outstanding game in goal. The 11 saves mark the fifth best single-game performance in school history.
The game started in exciting fashion as Kentucky had a golden opportunity less than a minute in. Masumi Turnbull (Richmond, British Columbia/McMath) sent a cross into the box from the left flank, right to Michael D’Agostino (Langley, British Columbia/Langley) who headed his shot over the goal from six yards out.
Juan Guerra had FIU’s best chance in the first half when he was fed a ball behind the defense and was one-on-one with goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley North), who came off his line and stonewalled Guerra.
Kentucky continues its road trip on Sunday against UCF at Orlando, Fla. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.
