LEXINGTON ? The Kentucky men?s soccer team closes out its home schedule on Friday night when it hosts Conference USA-rival Marshall at 7:30 p.m. at the UK Soccer Complex.
The Thundering Herd enters the contest, the final for both teams in league play, in second place in C-USA with 13 points. Kentucky (6-6-4, 3-4-1) is just behind with 10, meaning a win could propel it past Marshall (6-8-1, 4-3-1) when conference tournament seeding is announced.
The Wildcats have won two of their last three outings and scored their biggest win of the year last time out, a 4-1 victory over UAB. Marshall, meanwhile has won four of its last five after opening the year 2-7-1.
?There?s no doubt that this is a huge game as both teams are battling for seeding in the conference tournament,? Kentucky head coach Ian Collins said. ?That said, I like our chances. We?ve been playing very well lately and I don?t think anyone in our league really wants to play us right now.?
The game is a battle of former Mid-American Conference foes as each jumped to Conference USA after the 2004 campaign. Kentucky holds a 10-4-1 overall advantage in the series that dates back to UK?s first year of soccer, 1991. The Wildcats have beaten the Thundering Herd in two straight meetings, but have won just three straight over them one time, that coming from 1997-99.
?This is a series that goes back a long way,? Collins said. ?It?s a healthy rivalry that we played in the MAC and have moved forward into Conference USA. Both teams know exactly what to expect from each other so, it will be a tough game.?
Friday night marks the final home game for five seniors: Andy Gruenebaum (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley North), Nikolas Moreno (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park), Brannan Sapp (Kernersville, N.C./East Forsythe), Thomas Senecal (Bethesda, Md./The Maret School) and Brandon Stewart (Dallas, Texas/Creekview).
?This group of seniors has meant a lot to this program,? Collins said. ?They have been here for conference championships and NCAA Tournament victories and always represented the University of Kentucky with class. It will be tough to see them leave, but their contribution will always be remembered here.?
