Sept. 27, 2008
ASHEVILLE
, N.C.
—
Dan Williams totaled two acrobatic match-saving saves as the Kentucky
men’s soccer team utilized a strong defensive effort in a scoreless tie with the UNC-Asheville Bulldogs, on Saturday afternoon at Greenwood Stadium.
Kentucky
(4-2-2) has not allowed a goal in 224 minutes, its second consecutive scoreless tie, as the Wildcats tied Alabama A&M last Sunday. UK
allowed a goal in a 2-1 win over Michigan
last Wednesday in the 86th minute.
UNC-Asheville did not lose the match against Kentucky
for the first time in 10 meetings in the series, as the Wildcats own a 9-0-1 advantage all-time. Entering the game, UK had outscored UNC-Asheville 30-4 in its nine previous meetings.
Williams, a junior from Fairfax Station, Va.
, finished with two saves in his 10th career shutout. Bulldog keeper Lassi Hurskainen, a 22-year old freshman who served in the Finish military before traveling oversees to play collegiate soccer, finished with three saves, keeping UNCA in the game throughout.
Kentucky
controlled the offensive and defensive end of the game, firing 15 shots to UNC-Asheville’s five. The Bulldogs totaled a staggering 13 corner kicks to UK
’s five.
UK had the best opportunity early as Jason Griffiths took a free kick from the left side of the field and after the ball got batted around, Taylor White fired a shot that sailed about 10 feet over the cross bar. Michael Strong forced the foul, beating the defender to the ball with a blast of speed and getting tackled from behind.
UK
nearly got on the board in the 25th minute as Strong played the ball from the end of the box and Issam Sawtarie fired a shot that forced a miraculous diving save in the right corner of the net.
In the 42nd minute, UK
mobilized an offensive attack sparked by Tim Crone. Crone played the ball through the midfield and dished the ball to George Davis IV whose shot was cleared by a Bulldog defender. Seconds later, Crone fired a shot that was saved by the Bulldog keeper.
Tyler Burns barely missed winning the game in the final minute of regulation, but his shot narrowly missed going in the net after it appeared to be deflected.
UK
almost won the game in overtime, as Chad Hagerty found himself wide open in the 94th minute and lifted a shot from about 18 yards away that sailed just left of the post.
Williams saved the potential game winner, as UNC-Asheville’s Jake Sides fired a header on target forcing Williams to make a diving save to save the game.
UK
preseason All-American Barry Rice won 13-of-14 contested header attempts in the match, bringing his season total to 63-of-65 contested header attempts won.
Kentucky
returns to action on Wednesday, traveling to Marshall
for a 7 p.m. ET conference-opening test.
