Sept. 21, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. —
Entering the match riding a five-game home winning streak, the Kentucky men’s soccer team mounted several first-half scoring opportunities but couldn’t get on the board, using stellar goalkeeper play from Dan Williams to battle Alabama A&M to a 0-0 tie, on Sunday afternoon in front of 1,587 fans at the UK Soccer Complex.
Kentucky
(4-2-1) did not pull out the win for the first time at the UK Soccer Complex since a loss to Indiana in 2007, a span of six home games since its last defeat. UK had several golden scoring opportunities in the first half but could not get them to fall, despite finishing the game with the advantage in shots (15-13) and corner kicks (7-5).
Williams, UK’s three-year starter in goal, worked his second shutout of the season and the eighth of his career. Williams, a native of Fairfax Station, Va., finished with three saves, facing 13 total Jaguar shots.
UK
opened up the game aggressive offensively, getting a good look on a free kick from 22 yards away in the seventh minute. Wildcat preseason All-American Barry Rice took the shot and his bending attempt narrowly missed sliding in the top of the net.
In the ninth minute, UK had another free kick opportunity from 24 yards away, with Rice setting up to kick the ball before dishing it to Jason Griffiths, whose shot was blocked.
Rice put pressure on the defense again in the 19th, getting the ball to Michael Strong whose shot was deflected by Jaguar keeper Paul Musoke, setting up a corner kick.
The Wildcats had another good chance in the 26th minute, as a foul was forced by Marco dos Santos about 30 yards in front of the net. Griffiths, a junior midfielder, fired the shot but it sailed high.
In the 30th minute, UK had arguably its best scoring opportunity, as the speedy Issam Sawtarie broke through the defense and fired a low-lining shot that hit the post and bounced back into play.
Alabama A&M narrowly missed walking away with the win in the 102nd minute, as MfanaFuthi Bhembe fired a shot that hit the post.
The Jaguars put pressure on the UK defense during the overtime periods, but behind the steady Williams and defensive stalwarts such as Rice, Stephen Beiro, Brad Walker and Tim Muessig the Wildcats did not succumb to the Alabama A&M offensive attack.
Griffiths, Rice, Brad Walker, George Davis IV and Jirijoonas Kanth all fired two shots each, with Kanth registering one on goal. Sawtarie, Strong, Tim Crone, Sam Vernalls and Mark Lavery each attempted a shot, with Strong and Lavery attempting a shot on goal.
Rice, a member of the Hermann Trophy National Player of the Year watch list, won 6-of-7 contested header attempts on the day.
Kentucky
returns to action on Saturday, traveling to UNC-Asheville for a 2 p.m. ET matchup, UK’s final non-conference tune-up before the start of conference action.
