Sept. 26, 2008
Lexington, Ky. – The UK women’s soccer team (2-5-2, 0-0-1 SEC) brought their defensive “A” game, shutting out the Auburn Tigers (4-4-2, 0-0-1), while forging a 0-0 tie in its SEC opener.
The game was as evenly fought as the score indicated, with the shots being nearly even, (15-13 in Auburn’s favor) as well as the saves (6-5 in Kentucky’s favor) and fouls (15-14 Auburn).
“Both teams had opportunities to win the game, us in regulation and Auburn in overtime,” said UK head coach Warren Lipka. “It was an evenly fought game that had the right result.”
Auburn had the game’s first scoring opportunity in the 39th minute, generated off a corner kick. Kori Hoelscher put the kick perfectly in front of the Wildcat goal where Caitlin King got a head on the ball, but UK goalie Sydney Hiance was there for a diving save.
The Wildcats had an opportunity to take the first lead in the 40th minute when Kristin Kover sent a corner kick in front of the Auburn goal that was cleared out to Tara Herold. Herold settled the ball and had a wide-open look at the goal, but sent the shot high.
Kristin Kover had her best look in the 55th minute when she broke free of the Auburn defense and sent a left footed shot from 15 yards out, but AU goalie Allison Whitworth made a diving save to coral the ball.
Four minutes into the first overtime, Auburn had a two-on-one 15 yards in front of the Wildcat goal where Rebecca Howell took a shot from point blank range, but Hiance made an acrobatic save, punching the ball away to thwart the Tiger attempt.
Sophomore Giuleana Lopez paced the Wildcat offense with four shots, two on goal, while Hiance recorded her third shutout of the season and the seventh of her career, tying her for fifth on UK’s all-time shutout list.
Kentucky’s overtime record this season now stands at 0-0-2, and it was UK’s first tie in its SEC opener since a 1-1 score with LSU to open the 2005 league schedule.
The Wildcats return to action on Sunday, hosting the Alabama Crimson Tide. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Fans that present a UK-Western Kentucky football ticket will receive free admission
