LEXINGTON ? Senior Riley O?Neill headed home the game-winning goal in the 102nd minute to lift 17th-ranked Kentucky to a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Florida International on Saturday night at the UK Soccer Complex.
The win improved UK to 10-4-2 on the year, the team?s ninth 10-win season in the past decade. More importantly, the Wildcats jumped to third in the Conference USA standings with a 3-2-1 mark. FIU lost for the first time in three matches and fell to 6-7-1 overall and 2-4 in the league.
O?Neill?s goal was his school-record fifth of the year and it was the second time in C-USA play he had netted a GW in the second overtime. He also beat then-No. 6 South Carolina with a dramatic overtime score.
The play began on a long throw in from the left side. In a crowd in the box, it was knocked out before it eventually found the foot of Nathan Li on the left side. He lofted a ball towards the far post where O?Neill snapped a header past goalkeeper Kyle Thomas.
Protecting its home field once again, UK has now won six straight on its own pitch. The Wildcats tied the school record with their ninth home win of the year and are 9-1 at home this season.
Kentucky led 1-0 early after Michael D?Agostino scored on a brilliant strike in the 17th minute. Wildcat keeper Matt Troop sent a long ball forward and D?Agostino dribbled down the left side. He cut back to his right and ripped a shot from the corner of the box that beat Thomas into the side netting inside the far post.
Florida International found the equalizer in the 35th minute on Oli Birgisson?s goal. David Hope headed the ball through the box and Birgisson buried his chance.
In the second half, UK knocked on the door repeatedly, firing off 10 of its 19 shots. At one point the Wildcats appeared to go ahead in the 50th minute, however Kentucky had a goal waved off for the second straight game.
After scoring off D?Agostino?s corner kick, the official called off the goal saying he had not whistled play to continue.
FIU had just eight shots total including three on goal. Troop was there to make two big saves, including one late in regulation to send the game to overtime.
Kentucky returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to Tulsa for a critical conference match up. The Wildcats and Golden Hurricane are currently third and fourth in the league standings.
