Sept. 26, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. —
Riding a three-match unbeaten streak, the Kentucky men’s soccer team returns to action in its final non-conference tune-up before conference play begins, traveling to UNC-Asheville for a Saturday showdown, at 2 p.m. ET at Greenwood Field.
Kentucky
(4-2-1) will face UNC-Asheville Saturday in the final non-conference match before beginning the rugged Conference USA slate on Wednesday. The Wildcats own a 9-0-0 all-time record vs. the Bulldogs, including a 5-0-0 mark in games played in Asheville. In the nine meetings, UK has outscored the Bulldogs 30-4, with UNC-Asheville not registering a goal since a 2-1 UK win in 1995. The Bulldogs have not scored in the last six meetings in the series.
In the last meeting vs. UNC-Asheville, UK got three goals – including two from Aaron Swanson in a 3-0 result in the UK Invitational at the UK Soccer Complex in 2007.
The Wildcats have been bolstered by one of the most potent offenses in the nation, one that leads the conference in nearly every offensive category. UK ranks as the C-USA leader in points (53), goals (18), goals per game (2.57), assists (17) and assists per game (2.43). Bolstered by a defense led by All-American Barry Rice and one of the best keepers in the nation, Dan Williams, UK ranks second in the league in goals allowed (6) and goals against average (0.83).
Individually, senior Michael Strong has paced the Wildcat offensive attack, ranking second in the league in goals (5) and goals per game (0.71). Strong, a forward and native of San Antonio, Texas, ranks seventh in shots (15), ninth in shots per game (2.14), third in points (11) and second in points per game (1.57).
Forward Marco dos Santos ranks second on the team with three goals, while freshman Taylor White, junior Tim Crone, and junior Jason Griffiths check in with two goals each. White has added two assists, good for a tie for the team lead with junior Sam Vernalls and George Davis IV. Rice, a member of the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy National Player of the Year watch list, has netted one goal and added an assist. Rice, who was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week on Monday, has won 47-of-48 contested header attempts in six of UK’s seven games in 2008.
Williams, a junior co-captain, ranks fourth in the conference in goals against average (0.85), saving 15 shots and allowing only six goals in seven games.
Last time out, UK battled Alabama A&M in a 0-0 draw, utilizing stellar goalkeeper play from Williams and a defense led by Rice to remain unbeaten since a loss at No. 24 Cal Poly on September 7.
On Wednesday, UK opens C-USA play at Marshall, with start time set for 7 p.m. ET.
