LEXINGTON, Ky. ? On a brisk Sunday afternoon at the UK Soccer Complex, the Kentucky women?s soccer team collected a 2-0 victory over visiting Ole Miss (6-7-5, 3-4-3) on what proved to be a happy farewell for the outgoing seniors on Senior Day.
The Wildcats (9-6-3, 3-6-1) got on the board in the 42nd minute, with a goal from Callie Lanphier right before halftime to make it 1-0. It was Lanphier?s fourth goal of the season, tying her for the team lead. It also increased her team-lead in points, giving her 11. The assist went to freshman Alicia Browning, who sent a searching cross into the box. Lanphier was able to grab position inside the six-yard box and poke in the ball before Ole Miss keeper Ann Shelton could gather it.
Kentucky added to their lead in the 58th minute when senior Kate Rowlands scored on an off-balance shot inside the six yard box. It was Rowlands? second goal of the season, giving her a memorable finish to her home career as a Wildcat.
UK controlled the entire match, possessing the ball throughout and out-shooting the overmatched Rebels 6-3 in the first half and 9-8 overall. They played more aggressively throughout, executing attacks that led to multiple scoring chances. The defense was also able to dominate the Rebels and held their own, as freshman goalie Sydney Hiance earned her first career SEC shutout.
?I think this team has had its moments,? head coach Warren Lipka said. ?We?ve played our best soccer against the very tough teams in the conference, and we?re getting it together as we did last year around this time.?
For a senior group that has stuck together through four years, Lipka believed that Sunday was the day they proved their leadership.
?They are all good leaders,? Lipka acknowledged of his seniors. ?Today they shined. Kelsey (Fenix) with her leadership, Callie (Lanphier) and Kate (Rowlands) scoring for us. It was great for them. I told them to leave their mark on this field for 2007, and I think they did that today.?
The Wildcats now own a 9-5-2 record on Senior Day, winning the last two seasons while Lanphier and Rowlands became the first seniors to score goals on Senior Day since Annie Gage did so in the 2001 season.
Kentucky wraps up the regular season on Friday in Nashville, Tenn. when they square-off against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. with live stats available on ukathletics.com.
