Aug. 19, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky men’s soccer team has opened practice for the 2009 season, practicing Tuesday morning and evening at the UK Soccer Complex.

Kentucky opened the 2009 preseason with an initial team meeting Sunday night and Monday had a host of team and academic activities in preparation for the fall semester. Tuesday, UK hit the field, beginning with a morning and an evening training session.

UK returns nearly its entire roster off a 12-win team in 2008, when the Wildcats finished ranked No. 21 in the NCAA. Kentucky welcomes back seniors Jason Griffiths, Barry Rice and Dan Williams for their second consecutive season as team captains, just a year removed from UK ranking 15th in the NCAA in scoring offense and 31st nationally in goals-against average. In addition, veteran talents Marco dos Santos, Chad Hagerty, Tim Crone, Tyler Burns, Tim Muessig, George Davis IV, C.J. Tappel, Brad Walker and Taylor White will help form a dangerous UK club.

Last year, UK finished second in the Conference USA regular season and tournament championships, suffering a penalty-kick defeat in the conference title game. Despite the setback, UK finished the season on a school-record 10-match unbeaten streak.

Kentucky opens its 2009 season with two exhibitions, beginning Monday at 7 p.m. ET against Dayton at the UK Soccer Complex. After wrapping up preseason with an exhibition game at Marquette, UK will open the regular season with the annual UK Invitational, starting Sept. 4 when UK hosts IUPUI at 7:30 p.m.