Aug. 19, 2011
ROCHESTER, Mich. – The University of Kentucky women’s soccer team kicked off the 2011-12 UK Athletics calendar year with a 3-0 win over the Oakland Grizzlies at the Oakland University Soccer Field in Rochester, Mich. on Friday night.
UK came out with a lot of intensity as the Wildcats recorded the opening three shots of the game within the first five minutes. In the first half alone, Kentucky outshot Oakland 9-2.
“I thought there were some moments in the game where we had some really good chemistry between our forwards and our midfielders,” UK head coach Jon Lipsitz said. “We have spent a lot of time in preseason about having the attitude of pushing things to goal. I actually thought Molly Huber was unlucky not to have a few extra goals. I think we created opportunities and we need to continue to do that to get better as a team.”
Kentucky started the game with four freshmen in the line-up, making it the second straight year that UK has started four or more freshmen in the season opening game.
“This is a freshman class that is not timid or nervous. I really thought everyone contributed, and I thought every time we subbed in a player, we got better,” Lipsitz said.
The scoring started in the 30th minute when UK senior captain Kelsey Hunyadi scored an unassisted goal after stealing the ball from midfield and shredding the middle of the defense, putting the ball in the back corner of the net.
One of the Wildcat freshmen, Molly Huber netted the second Kentucky goal in the 32nd minute, just one minute and 45 seconds after Hunyadi scored the Wildcats opening goal. Huber scored her first collegiate goal on a header after a brilliant cross from another UK newcomer, Erin Simon.
“Molly has a tremendous work rate and a youthful enthusiasm. That is pretty contagious. She is a kid that we can always count on and that’s why we wanted her to play at UK,” Lipsitz said
UK continued to capitalize on their opportunities, as early in the second half, Caitlin Landis pounded home a rebound after a goalie misplay by the Grizzlies. The goal was assisted by Molly Huber, as she controlled the ball off the misplay, fired in a shot that was saved, and then the rebound came right to her. Huber then crossed the ball across the mouth of the goal to a waiting Landis who put it home. The goal came in the 52nd minute, increasing the Wildcat lead to 3-0 where it would hold the rest of the game.
UK dominated the offensive side of the game, recording 20 shots in the game to Oakland’s seven. UK also added four corner kicks and nine shots on goal to add to their offensive output.
Kayla Price, in her first start in goal fended off one shot on goal during the game, and helped her defense post a shutout. The freshmen stayed very composed in the net and had some very nice saves in the game.
The victory marks the third consecutive year that UK has started the season with a win. Also, this was the second consecutive shutout win to begin a season, as in 2010, UK shutout Coastal Carolina in the season opener.
The Cats will next take the field on Tuesday night in their home opener as UK welcomes the Eastern Kentucky Colonels to the UK Soccer Complex. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. EST.
