Oct. 12, 2009

LEXINGTON, KY – Junior goalie Sydney Hiance has been named this week’s Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday.

Hiance, a native of Ft. Thomas, Ky., posted back-to-back shutouts for the Wildcats over the weekend, helping UK to a 1-0 upset over 13th ranked LSU on Friday and a 0-0 tie against Arkansas on Sunday.

“It’s a well deserved award and it says a lot about the development she’s shown since the season began and the commitment the team has to defending as a group,” said UK head coach Jon Lipsitz. “I think both individually, and as a team, it’s a tremendous honor and something we take great pride in this year. We certainly hope to continue these good defensive efforts in the future.”

She’s posted seven shutouts this year ranking third in UK history for clean sheets in a season, and her 0.60 goals-against average is third best in the SEC.

The award is the fourth of her collegiate career which is the most for any Wildcat in school history. It’s the first for the Kentucky this season and the 17th time a UK player has received any sort of SEC player of the week honor.

Kentucky hits the road this weekend for its final full road weekend of the season, traveling to the Heart of Dixie where they will take on Alabama and Auburn.