Sept. 4, 2009
Despite another solid defensive performance, the UK women’s soccer team (2-1-0) was unable to muster enough offense against the ninth ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-0-0) , dropping their first match of the season, 1-0.
“I thought we had a good game plan going in, and I thought in many ways we succeeded in it,” said UK head coach Jon Lipsitz. “We wanted to keep the shot total low for both teams; we had a couple players on their team that we were really keying on that I thought we did a great job on, but in order to beat a team that’s as good as Wake Forest you have to really take care of little details. Both credit to them and their great coaching and a little problem with some of the things we were trying to do, I didn’t think we were as sharp in past games and obviously that’s on the coach, so that’s on me. Most of all, we played a fantastic team, it will make us better in the long run and I thought the better team today won the game.
“We were sitting back some and we know how quick Wake Forest can play and we wanted to make sure, especially with our first Friday-Sunday (weekend) of the year. We wanted to make sure we were preparing our bodies to play two games in one weekend for the first time. We knew that Wake had already done that and we felt the need to sit back a little more than we normally would, so we knew our offense would be limited. We wanted to get special moments and we had a special moment early in the game that we headed just over. We also had a couple counters where we were one pass away, but credit Wake Forest, they closed their seams in the back very fast and really kept us from getting started.”
The early opportunity Lipsitz spoke of was an early header from Laura Novikoff. Wake Forest was whistled for a foul at the top of the 18-yard box. Jenna Goblirsch took the free kick for the Cats, dumping a ball into the box where Novikoff got a solid head on the ball, but it sailed just over the top of the cross bar.
The Deacons got on the board first courtesy of Allie Sadow’s first score of the season. Sarah Winslow crossed a ball through the UK defense that Sadow settled, dribbled a couple times and pushed to the left of UK goalie Sydney Hiance.
Giuleana Lopez had the Cats’ best opportunity in the second half, with a good look and opportunity to tie the game in the 53rd minute. Lopez had an open look from 20 yards out, but her shot flew wide left.
The Wildcats were only able to manage four shots along with one corner kick compared to the Demon Deacons’ six shots and five corner kicks.
Kentucky closes out weekend competition on Sunday against Akron. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the UK Soccer Complex.
