Nov. 3, 2008

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky sophomore defender Stephen Beiro has been named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week, it was announced on Monday.

Beiro, a native of McLean, Va., had an excellent two games while anchoring the UK defense during a 1-0-1 week. Beiro’s game-winning goal in the 45th minute lifted the Wildcats to a 2-1 comeback win over No. 22 SMU in Dallas on Sunday. The game-winner marked Beiro’s first career and his second goal of the season, a game-tying goal at UAB earlier in the year. Beiro connected on a header shot off a Sam Vernalls corner kick for the winner, his second header goal off a set piece in 2008.

“Beiro was part of a bend but don’t break Kentucky backline that helped the Wildcats tie Indiana on the road 1-1 and defeat C-USA foe SMU 2-1 in Dallas,” College Soccer News detailed. “Beiro’s header out of a corner kick served in by teammate Sam Vernalls proved to be the game-winning goal against SMU.”

The honor is the first career weekly award for Beiro, a physical and tough defender. On the year, Beiro has started all 17 games, playing 1476 minutes of the 1612 total minutes for UK in 2008. Beiro has added an assist on the year for five total points, firing seven shots and two on goal.

Kentucky (10-4-3, 6-1 Conference USA) wraps up its regular season on Friday, with senior night against Memphis at the UK Soccer Complex. Ceremonies will begin 20 minutes prior to the 7 p.m. ET kickoff.

Kentucky Tabbed No. 23 in Soccer America Top-25
The Kentucky men’s soccer team, already tabbed No. 24 by College Soccer News on Monday, has been selected No. 23 in the latest Soccer America top-25 poll, it was released on Monday.

UK’s top-25 ranking is its first since the 2006 season, when the Wildcats finished the season ranked No. 13. With 10 wins in 2008, UK has now achieved 10 or more wins nine times in the last 11 years.