Oct. 5, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s soccer team (9-3-0, 2-2-0 SEC) reached its highest-ever RPI ranking of 10th in the nation this week, it was announced by the NCAA on Wednesday afternoon.

“We are excited about the season so far,” Kentucky head coach Jon Lipsitz said. “We must continue to get better every day to finish off as strongly as we have started.”

The Wildcats are coming off a weekend that included a win over South Carolina for the first time since 2006, and the first win in Columbia since 2005.

Kentucky is one of 10 Southeastern Conference schools ranked in the top 100. The SEC claims four of the top 20, and two of the top 10 teams, including Florida, Kentucky, Auburn and LSU.

“We fully understand that having a high RPI at this point of the season is based upon our past performance, and does not predict our future,” Lipsitz added. 

UK’s brutal schedule has already included nine games against teams in the top 100, with the Wildcats holding an impressive 6-3 record against those teams.

The Wildcats return home this weekend for the first time in three weeks, playing host to SEC foes Arkansas and LSU. The Friday night tilt against Arkansas will begin at 7:00 p.m. EST. The LSU Tigers are ranked No. 18 in the country, as well as holding a 4-0 record within conference play. The Sunday showdown against LSU will serve as UK’s inaugural “Kick Caner Match,” benefiting the UK HealthCare Pediatric Unit.

For continuing coverage of UK women’s soccer, log on to UKAthletics.com.