HUNTINGTON, W.Va.. — Trailing by a goal with less than seven minutes remaining in the contest and playing with only 10 men, Kentucky got a game-tying goal from freshman Tyler Riggs and junior college transfer Sam Brooks netted the golden goal 51 seconds into overtime, leading the Kentucky men’s soccer team to a dramatic, comeback 2-1 win on Wednesday night in front of a season-high 1,147 fans at Sam Hood Field.
With UK down with just under seven minutes remaining and the Wildcats left with only 10 men on the field after sophomore Jacob Kemper was issued a red card, Riggs netted a game-tying goal to force it to overtime. With just 51 seconds elapsed in overtime, Brooks netted his second career goal, and his second career game-winning goal, giving UK a 2-1 win.
Marshall (7-3-2, 2-2-0 Conference USA) got on the board first in the 48th minute, as a long ball was played to just passed the midfield line, with UK’s David Harrison attempting to clear. His clearance bounced off a Marshall player and into open territory behind the UK defense. Marshall raced after the ball and put up an effort, but a UK defender accidentally deflected the ball into the net for the own goal.
Kentucky (4-5-1, 1-0-0 C-USA) evened up the game with a goal in the 84th minute. With its backs against the wall, UK sophomore Jordan Rose flicked the ball to an open Riggs, streaking down the far side of the box. Riggs fired a hard-hit ball at the far post, evening the game at 1-1. Riggs, a native of Louisville, Ky., leads UK with three goals and Rose owns a team-high equaling two assists.
Brooks was the hero in the 91st minute, hooking up with freshman Craig Heard for the golden goal. Heard flicked the ball back to Brooks, who fired a hard-hit shot into the net for the winner. The goal was Brooks second of the year and the assist Heard’s first career.
The Wildcats return to action on Saturday, traveling to Birmingham, Ala., to face off with UAB at 8 p.m. ET.
Kentucky freshman goalkeeper Tyler Beadle, a native of Douglasville, Ga., totaled four saves in the game, all coming in the second half, including several acrobatic plays to keep UK in the game.
Marshall keeper Daniel Withrow saved one UK shot in the contest.
Marshall totaled a 13-11 lead in shots and a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
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