Sept. 15, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. — After scoring both goals in a comeback win over SIU-Edwardsville Sunday and adding an assist in a Kentucky win over No. 19 UIC Friday, UK freshman midfielder Matt Lodge has been named to the Soccer America National Team of the Week, it was announced Tuesday.

A native of Rossington, England, Lodge was one of 11 players nationwide named to the weekly Soccer America team of the week. Monday, Lodge earned his first career Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week accolade.

In just four collegiate games, Lodge has totaled three goals and one assist, firing 10 shots, including a team-best six on goal. With UK trailing 1-0 early in the game Sunday with SIUE, Lodge connected on a majestic free-kick goal from 40 yards out, bending the ball around the wall of defenders and one-hopping the ball past a diving keeper for the equalizer. Lodge’s second goal, the eventual game-winning goal, came when the midfielder scooped up the ball in traffic inside the box and fired a quick, low shot past the keeper for the advantage.

No. 22 Kentucky returns to action Wednesday, hosting Alabama A&M at 7 p.m. ET at the UK Soccer Complex.

KENTUCKY CLIMBS IN RANKINGS

LEXINGTON, Ky. — After toppling No. 19 UIC Friday and improving to 4-0 on the year with a win Sunday, the Kentucky men’s soccer team has climbed to No. 22 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America weekly top-25, it was announced Tuesday.

Kentucky (4-0-0) is ranked No. 22 in the NSCAA coaches poll and is also tabbed No. 24 in the Soccer Times coaches top-25, in addition to receiving votes in the College Soccer News weekly top-30. Monday, UK was ranked No. 1 in the Midwest region, a week after ranking No. 2.

The Wildcats, ranked 11th in the NCAA in scoring offense, are riding a school-record 14-match unbeaten streak, dating back to 2008. With a win Wednesday against Alabama A&M, UK would equal the best start to a season in the 19-year history of the program, equaling the 5-0 start the 1995 UK team posted.