Sept. 2, 2008
Cincinnati, Ohio – The Kentucky women’s soccer team (1-1-0) scored first then weathered a one hour-11 minute lightening delay to pick up their first win of the season, a 1-0 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-2-0).
For the second straight match, the Wildcats scored first, claiming a 1-0 lead 20 minutes into the first half. Laura Novikoff and Rachel Ulrich played a little touch and go with Novikoff dumping a ball to Ulrich, who gave the pass right back to Novikoff. The 6-3 sophomore finished it off with a shot into the back left corner of the goal for her second tally of the season and the 1-0 Wildcat lead.
Cincinnati had their best scoring opportunity in the 64th minute off a free kick. The Wildcats were called for a foul just outside the top left corner of the 18-yard box. UC’s Kristin May fired off a shot that was bending just inside the left post, but Wildcat goalie Sydney Hiance was there for a diving save.
Novikoff had a golden opportunity for her second goal of the night following the lightening delay. With 23:40 left in the match Bearcat goalie Andrea Kaminksi came off her line to chase down a ball towards midfield. Novikoff got to the ball first and fired a shot from 50 yards out that rolled past the UC goalie, however Kaminski was able to chase the ball down and make a diving save inches from the goal line.
Hiance came up big again with 8:49 left, when Melissa Bigg got a solid head off a corner kick, three yards in front of the UK goal, but Hiance was there to gather it in.
UC outshot Kentucky 16-8; however the Wildcats got more quality looks, recording five shots on goal, to the Bearcats three. Novikoff led the Cats offensively with her second goal of the season and paced UK with four shots, three on goal. Hiance recorded her first shutout of the season and the fifth of her career. The win gave Kentucky a 7-6-1 edge in the series with Cincinnati.
The Wildcats continue their challenging schedule this weekend, as the team travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. where they’ll participate in the Carolina Nike Classic. UK takes on the 11th ranked (Soccer America) Duke Blue Devils on Friday, followed by a Sunday date with the second ranked North Carolina Tar Heels.
