Oct. 9, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The UK women’s soccer team (10-4-1, 3-3-0 Southeastern Conference) wasn’t able to pull off a come-from-behind effort for the second straight match, dropping its first home match of the season, 2-0, to the 14th ranked (Soccer America) LSU Tigers (10-4-1, 5-1-0).
“Congratulations to LSU,” UK head coach Jon Lipsitz said. “(LSU head coach) Brian (Lee) and his staff do a tremendous job and they were very prepared for us and got a deserved win. You look at the game and we were not good the first half. We had to make whole-sale adjustments and we were very good in the second half. That’s on me to make sure that we are better as the game begins as we go forward.”
Offensively, the Wildcats appeared to have gotten the better end of the result, outshooting the Tigers 12-8, including 9-2 in the second half and earning eight corner kicks to LSU’s two. However, with a 1-0 lead for the majority of the second half, the Tigers were content to bunker down on the defensive end and allow Kentucky to press the issue.
LSU struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute. The Tigers’ Natalie Ieyoub sent a cross into the box passed UK goalie Kayla Price. Natalie Martineau was there to finish the shot on the empty net for the LSU lead.
The Tigers added an insurance goal in the 67th minute on Martineau’s second goal of the match. Taryne Boudreau crossed the ball to the far side of the goal that found Martineau who fired a shot back across the field inside the far post for the final 2-0 tally.
Stuart Pope and Alyssa Telang paced UK offensively, with each taking a team-high three shots.
The shutout was the first time the Cats didn’t score at home since Sept. 24 of last season.
The match was the inaugural “Kick Cancer” match were the Wildcats joined with UK Healthcare Pediatrics to raise cancer awareness.
Game worn jerseys will be auctioned off at the UK Team Shop on UKathletics.com.
“It was very special,” Lipsitz said. “There was nothing wrong with wearing pink, raising money and being done with it. At our program here, it’s always about more than soccer, but about life lessons and our families. I wanted there to be a time where everyone comes together to share some memories of people that we have tragically lost to cancer. Soccer brings us all together, but it is not as important as these life events.”
The Wildcats return to action on Friday when they host SEC East rival Tennessee. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the UK Soccer Complex.
