Dec. 11, 2009

CARY, N.C. — Kentucky men’s soccer senior defender Barry Rice has been selected a second-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, marking the first two-time All-America selection in the 19-year history of the UK soccer program, it was announced Friday afternoon.

The honor marks the second All-America accolade for Rice during the 2009 season, as Goal.com tabbed him on the third team earlier in the week. With All-America honors in two consecutive seasons, Rice becomes the first UK player in the history of the program to earn All-America accolades in back-to-back seasons. Last year, Rice was named All-America by College Soccer news and Top Drawer Soccer.

Rice, a native of Parma, Ohio, finished his UK career as arguably the most decorated player in Kentucky soccer history. A defender, Rice has been a fixture on the pitch for UK since arriving on campus as a freshman in 2006. Rice played in a total of 78 career games, tallying 12 goals, seven assists and 87 shots. In addition, Rice ranks sixth in the history of the program with seven game-winning goals and checks in tied for seventh with 78 career games played. Rice’s best offensive year came in 2007, when he led UK with seven goals and one assist, carrying the offensive load for an injury-riddled UK team.

In 2008, Rice became the first player in the history of Conference USA to claim C-USA Defensive Player of the Year honors in consecutive seasons, also winning the award in 2007.

In 2009, Rice anchored a UK defense that led the league with 0.78 goals-against average, totaling seven shutouts. Offensively for Rice in 2009, he charted two goals, including a golden-goal in overtime at UCF in Orlando, helping boost UK into the postseason. A two-time co-captain, Rice helped the Wildcats jump out to a school-record 5-0 start in 2009, with the team claiming 13 wins overall, including wins in six of the last seven regular-season matches.