Tyler Riggs has scored three goals in UK’s first two games of 2011. (Robert Burge, UK Athletics)

Tyler Riggs and the UK men’s soccer team had high expectations coming in to 2011. Riggs was one of a number of young Wildcats to play for a 2010 team that struggled early but finished strong. The then-freshman led Ian Collins’ bunch in scoring with five goals as a freshman and garnered some precious on-field experience.Two games into his sophomore season, Riggs has answered all questions about whether he would be able to improve in his second season. In a pair of season-opening wins, Riggs has come off the bench to score game-winning goals. On Sunday against No. 9 Michigan, Riggs scored two goals in the five 15 minutes to spearhead a 2-1 comeback victory.The wins sent the Wildcats into the rankings (No. 21 according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and No. 29 according to College Soccer News) and brought national recognition to Riggs. On Wednesday, he was named to the Soccer America National Team of the Week and Thursday saw him become UK’s first NSCAA Player of the Week since Tim Crone in 2007.UK has another busy weekend, hosting the 10th annual University of Kentucky Invitational. The Wildcats will host Wright State at 7:30 p.m. ET and IUPUI on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET. Both games will be at the UK Soccer Complex.

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