Sept. 10, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Riding a school-record 12-match unbeaten streak, the Kentucky men’s soccer team travels to play in the University of Louisville Invitational, facing Illinois-Chicago Friday at 5 p.m. ET and SIU-Edwardsville at 2 p.m. Sunday, at Cardinal Park.

Kentucky (2-0-0) has not lost since an Oct. 8 setback at then-No. 14 Tulsa, a school-record span of 12 matches. The Wildcats posted two wins in the season-opening UK Invitational last weekend, securing a 2-1 win in the season-opener over IUPUI and a 4-1 win in the finale Sunday against Bowling Green. UK got a goal in each game from junior midfielder Tyler Burns and goals from Marco dos Santos, Matt Lodge, Jason Griffiths and Tim Crone. C.J. Tappel notched two assists, with Josh Albers, Tim Muessig, Cameron Wilder and Dan Williams each notching assists. The assist for Williams – UK’s four-year starting goalkeeper – was the first of his career.

Both games will include complete coverage from UKathletics.com in Louisville, including a comprehensive live blog, live stats and complete post-game coverage.

Illinois-Chicago (0-1-1) is coming off a 3-1 loss to UAB to open the season Friday and is fresh off a double-overtime scoreless tie with Michigan State Sunday. UIC was ranked as high as No. 10 before the weekend, and is currently receiving votes in several polls. UIC has netted one goal in two games, allowing three. Josh Beard owns the lone goal from the UAB contest, with Robert Younger adding the assist. In goal, Jovan Bubonja has saved five shots in 200 minutes.

SIU-Edwardsville (1-1-0) got a 1-0 win over Evansville to open the season, taking advantage of an own goal to score the win. Last Friday, SIUE tangled with nationally ranked Oakland, falling 2-1. Offensively Ben Hemkens has a goal for SIUE, with Kevin Bielicki adding an assist. Scott Meyer has worked 180 minutes in goal, saving seven shots.

The Wildcats will be facing both UIC and SIU-Edwardsville for the first time in program history.