Oct. 3, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Unbeaten in five consecutive matches and riding a 314-minute shutout streak, the Kentucky men’s soccer team steps out of Conference USA play, hosting the Xavier Musketeers at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday at the UK Soccer Complex.
Kentucky (5-2-2, 1-0-0 C-USA) is coming off its biggest conference-opening win in nine years, dating back to a 6-0 result at Marshall on October 1, 1999. Wednesday, UK pounded the Thundering Herd 4-0, behind Michael Strong’s school-record two goals in a 15-second span in the second half.
UK has not lost since a 3-1 setback at 24th-ranked Cal Poly, posting wins over Cincinnati, Michigan and Marshall during that span, tying Alabama A&M and UNC-Asheville. The Wildcats are unbeaten at the UK Soccer Complex in their past five matches, dating back to 2007. UK owns a 3-0-1 record at home in 2008, and has posted a 17-6-2 (.720 winning percentage) record in the last three years on its home pitch.
In the match at Marshall, Kentucky overcame cold and drizzly conditions to slam the Thundering Herd, using goals from Sam Vernalls and Jason Griffiths, in addition to the two historic goals from Strong. Dan Williams continued his shutout streak with a six-save shutout, his fourth shutout of the season and the 11th of his career.
Offensively, UK has been led by Strong, a senior forward from San Antonio, Texas. Strong ranks third in the league in shots (23), fourth in shots per game (2.56), second in points (15), second in points per game (1.67), second in goals (7) and second in goals per game (0.78). Williams, a three-year starter in goal, leads C-USA with a 0.65 goals-against average.
Kentucky’s potent offensive attack has now scored 22 goals in just nine games, a year removed from totaling 23 goals during its 19-game season. That offensive attack ranks as the league leader in points (63), goals (22), goals per game (2.44), checking in second in assists (19) and assist per game (2.11). Defensively, UK’s 0.67 goals-against average and six goals allowed rank tops in C-USA. UK’s five team shutouts rank as the best in the conference.
The Wildcats lead the all-time series with Xavier, 5-2, having dropped the last two consecutive meetings, both in Lexington, in 1996 and 2001. Kentucky opened the series with wins in the first five meetings, from 1991-96. UK is 3-2 vs. the Musketeers at the UK Soccer Complex.
