MIAMI — The Kentucky men?s soccer team, riding the momentum of a two-game Conference USA winning streak, returns to action on Saturday, as it travels to Miami, Fla., for a Saturday showdown with Florida International.
Kentucky (5-7-2, 3-2 C-USA) has pulled off big conference wins in its past two games, securing wins over Central Florida on the road and a Wednesday night home decision over eight-win Marshall. UK got two big goals from UK defender Barry Rice in the win on Wednesday. The sophomore assisted senior forward Aaron Swanson on the first UK goal of the game and delivered the next two Wildcat goals, the first coming off a majestic free kick shot and the final coming off a corner from UK?s Brad Frederick.
Rice leads the way for the Wildcats offensively, tallying 15 points and seven goals. The Parma, Ohio, native has started all 14 games this season and of his seven goals, six have come from headers. Swanson ranks second on the club in scoring, totaling 10 points off five goals. Sophomore forward Tim Crone has three goals and an assist, while Chad Hagerty and Jase Griffiths have each contributed one goal. Junior midfielder Masumi Turnbull has served as UK?s set-up man, dishing out a team-high five assists. Dan Williams has provided a steady hand in goal, saving 54 shots and totaling a 1.63 goals against average.
FIU (2-9-2, 2-3 C-USA) has had trouble scoring this season, with only 11 goals on the year. Juan Guerra leads FIU in scoring with four goals and one assist, while Steven Cabas ranks second with three goals and one assist. In between the pipes for FIU, Kyle Thomas has allowed 13 goals for a 1.27 goals against average, saving 44 efforts.
Kentucky owns a 1-1-1 all-time record with FIU, with the first meeting of the series coming in 2001. UK won the meeting last year in Lexington, 2-1 in two overtimes, courtesy of a Riley O?Neill goal in the 102nd minute. Michael D?Agostino, who joins O?Neill as former UK stars now playing professionally in Europe, got then 17th ranked UK on the board in the 17th minute, off an assist from UK goalkeeper Matt Troop.
