In what Kentucky head women?s soccer coach Warren Lipka calls the biggest weekend of the season thus far, the UK women?s soccer team hosts Big 10 powers Ohio State and Michigan this weekend at the UK Soccer Complex.
?I think this weekend is going to be a huge test with Ohio State and Michigan,? said Lipka. ?Both teams come from one of the top five conferences in the country. Ohio State is always in the top half of their conference as is Michigan. They are both very competitive. We need a lot of support, and people packed in the Cats? Den which is behind the goal. They need to be as loud as they possibly can, as loud as they would be at Commonwealth Stadium or Rupp Arena. If you ask any coach, the more noise the more confidence builds in your players.?
The Wildcats open the weekend against the Buckeyes under the lights on Friday night. Kentucky owns a 3-0-1 all-time mark against Ohio State with their last meeting coming on September 11, 2005 in Columbus, which ended in a 1-1 tie. The two teams enjoy each other?s company so much that of the three matches they?ve played, three have gone to overtime. The Cats won 3-2 in overtime in 1994 and 2-1 in overtime in 1995 before last season?s extra-time affair.
Following UK?s tussle with OSU, the Cats will host Michigan in a Sunday afternoon tilt. The teams have been evenly matched through the years posting a 3-3-1 record against each other. Their last meeting came in Ann Arbor, Michigan on September 3, 2004, a match won by the Wolverines 2-1 in overtime.
The Wildcats are led offensively by freshmen Giuleana Lopez and Katie Fahey. Lopez leads the team with seven points (three goals, one assist) while Fahey is right behind her with six points (two goals, two assists). Senior goalie Anne Ogundele leads the UK defense with 18 saves which ranks third in the SEC and a 0.97 GAA which is seventh best in the conference.
Kentucky and Ohio State kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday night. It will be youth soccer night at the UK Soccer Complex. Kids wearing their team soccer jersey will be able to get into the match free along with a guest. There will be inflatable games to play on during pre-game and the first half and fans will have an opportunity to win free tuition to soccer camp in 2007.
