LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fresh off a thrilling 3-2 overtime win at UCF, the Kentucky men?s soccer team returns to action on Wednesday, as it plays host to conference rival Marshall. Kickoff at the UK Soccer Complex is slated for 7 p.m. EDT.
Kentucky (4-7-2, 2-2 Conference USA) enters the contest having pulled out a crucial road conference win last Wednesday over Central Florida. The Wildcats jumped out to an early 2-0 lead before the Knights forced overtime with two goals to even up the score. In the 98th minute, forward Aaron Swanson took a feed from UK assist man Masumi Turnbull and broke through the UCF defense, netting the first game winner of his career.
Leading the charge for the Wildcats offensively has been defender Barry Rice. Rice, a sophomore and former C-USA All-Freshmen team member, has netted five goals on seven efforts on goal. The Parma, Ohio, native, has scored all of his goals off headers. Swanson follows Rice with four goals, leading the club with 23 shots, while fellow forward Tim Crone has delivered three goals and one assist. Turnbull leads UK in assists, doling out five, with Chad Hagerty (1 G, 1 A), Jase Griffiths (1 G), Mark Halma (2 A), and Jirijoonas Kanth (2 A) rounding out the offensive stat sheet.
Marshall (8-5-1, 2-2 C-USA) enters the contest having just pulled out a Saturday win over the visiting UAB Blazers. The Thundering Herd, coached by 13th year head man Bob Gray, have gotten solid performances from several key players this season, including Kolby Lacrone, who leads the squad with six goals and on assist. In between the pipes for Marshall, Craig Ratanamorn has started a team-high nine games, allowing eight goals and saving 42 shots.
Kentucky leads the all-time series with Marshall, 10-4-3, having tied the last two meetings between the two clubs. UK has not lost to the Thundering Herd since a 2002 setback. Last season at Marshall, the two squads tied, 1-1.
Kickoff tonight is set for 7 p.m. ET at the UK Soccer Complex.