Sept. 2, 2010

UK Game Notes vs. VT_WF (.pdf)


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Wake Forest Game Notes (.pdf)

LEXINGTON, KY. — After getting off to a strong 2-0 start at home that included two shutouts, the Kentucky women’s soccer team will get its first road test this weekend, traveling to Winston-Salem, N.C., to take on 15th-ranked Virginia Tech and No. 14 Wake Forest at Spry Stadium in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

“These are huge challenges ahead of us, we’ll be the underdog, but we don’t mind that. That’s the part of the growth of the program now,” UK head coach Jon Lipsitz said.

UK opens action this weekend against Virginia Tech on Friday at 5:00 p.m.ET, followed by a Sunday date with host team Wake Forest. Both teams advanced deep in last year’s NCAA Tournament, with the Hokies making it to the Sweet 16, while the Demon Deacons were an Elite Eight performer.

Kentucky posted a 1-4-0 record against top 25 teams last season; however the Cats won their last game against a ranked opponent, taking down No. 13 LSU 1-0.

One of those losses came against then ninth ranked Wake Forest, who defeated Kentucky in Lexington last season 1-0.

UK and Virginia Tech have never met on the soccer pitch. Over the past two-plus years, the Wildcats have run up a 6-1-3 record against first time opponents including a 4-0 win over Coastal Carolina to open this season.

Even though the two met as recently as last season, there’s not much history between the Wildcats and the Demon Deacons either. Wake Forest has won both meetings between the two schools.

Senior goalie Sydney Hiance tallied her 16th career shutout, while recording eight saves against Indiana in UK’s most recent outing. For her efforts, she was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week. Hiance ranks first in the league in GAA at 0.00. The senior goalie ranks fourth in five different all-time categories including GAA (1.23), Saves (196), minutes played (4468:52) and shutouts (16).

The two shutout-wins to start the season marks the first time in program history the Wildcats have opened a season with two shutout wins.

Kelsey Hunyadi leads the Wildcat charge with six points on three goals, while freshman Taylor Parker has four points off a goal and two assists.

Kickoff against the Hokies Friday is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.; while Sunday’s match against the Demon Deacons is set for 2:00 p.m. Live stats for both matches will be available at UKathletics.com.