Oct. 28, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The UK women’s soccer team (13-6-0, 6-5-0 Southeastern Conference) defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores (8-11-0, 2-9-0) on the heels of a multi-goal game from sophomore Caitlin Landis 4-2 on Friday night in Nashville, Tenn., in UK head coach Jon Lipsitz’s 200th career game as an NCAA head coach.
“I’m really proud of this team,” Lipsitz said. “I don’t feel like we are close to done, and I feel like we have a lot further to go. When you hear the accolades, I am very proud. Obviously we take great pride in where we are as a program, and we want to continue to get better each and every day to become the program that we want to be.”
The opening goal of the game was scored in the 21st minute for the Wildcats. Kentucky’s Danielle Krohn won a 50/50 ball in midfield and delivered a pass to the feet of Kelsey Hunyadi. Hunyadi took a long-distance shot from 20 yards out, which was initially blocked down and saved by Vanderbilt goalkeeper Jessica Amlaw, who then allowed a rebound. Caitlin Landis was there waiting for the rebound, and fired it into the back of the net to put Kentucky up 1-0. The goal was Landis’ fifth on the year, and fourth in SEC play. The assist was Hunyadi’s team-leading ninth of the season.
Vanderbilt tied the game up in the 35th minute with a run down the middle that ended up finding the back of the net. The goal was scored by Candace West, her fifth of the year.
Kentucky responded, taking the lead when Ashley VanLandingham scored from 45 yards out off a free kick that found the back of the net after dodging traffic in front of the net. VanLandingham’s first-career goal gave Kentucky the lead right before heading into the locker room. The sophomore from Asheville, N.C. has been a mainstay on defense for Kentucky all season, starting all 19 games this season, and has played 90+ minutes in 18 of the 19 games played this season.
At halftime, UK recorded seven shots to Vanderbilt’s five. The Wildcats recorded three corner kicks in the first half to Vanderbilt’s one.
Vanderbilt responded, and tied the game at 2-2 just three minutes into the second half on a goal from Cherrelle Jarrett. Jarrett was able to just get a foot on the ball, knock it up high enough in the air off of a deflection, and it bounced in for the goal. The assist was credited to Dana Schwartz, who had the initial cross that was deflected in the box.
The two goals allowed by Kentucky was only the sixth time all season freshmen keeper Kayla Price has allowed multiple goals in a game.
Kentucky took the lead right back off of a brilliantly executed corner kick in the 54th minute when Landis scored her second goal off of a header. The corner was served perfectly to the six yard box by Hunyadi, where Natalie Horner initially headed it towards the goal. Landis was there waiting after the initial touch from Horner, and beat the keeper to the right side. Hunyadi recorded her 10th assist of the year, while Horner was credited with her second assist on the season.
The goal was Landis’ second of the game, and her second multi-goal game of the season. Landis also scored two goals in Kentucky’s 4-1 win over Alabama.
“Caitlin (Landis) has been playing incredibly well for the last month. She has struggled to find the goal, but not as any result of her lack of work. We have been telling her if you just keep doing the work, it will come,” Lipsitz said.
Hunyadi extended Kentucky’s lead to 4-2 in the 63rd minute. Alyssa Telang weaved her way through traffic at the top-left corner of the 18-yard box, and found room for a shot. The shot was hit with great pace to the far side, and ended up hitting the post. Hunyadi was there for the rebound, and served it into an empty net, to score her 33rd and 34th points on the season. Telang recorded her first point of the season, and 13th-career point as a Wildcat.
Hunyadi continues to move her ways up the charts in many single-season categories, as she has moved her way into second with 34 points so far in 2011. She also has 10 assists on the season, moving her into a tie for third all-time for a single season in UK program history.
The four goals scored for UK was the most goals Kentucky has scored this season, tying the four goals the Wildcats scored in a 4-1 win over Alabama.
Kentucky ended up outshooting Vandy 22-14, including a 15-9 clip in the second half. The Wildcats also finished ahead of Vanderbilt in corner kicks, 5-2 overall in the contest. Kentucky goalie Kayla Price finished with four saves on the night.
The win was Kentucky’s 13th of the season, which is the most in program history since the 2006 season. The Wildcats also finished with a 6-5 record in the SEC, making it the first time UK has had a winning record in conference play since 2006.
The Wildcats will travel to Orange Beach, Ala. this week to take part in the SEC Tournament for the second consecutive season. Kentucky’s seeding is yet to be determined, but will be finalized tomorrow afternoon after the completion of the suspended Tennessee vs. Georgia game.
“We just have to stay positive with each other and continue to work hard. We can only control the things that we can control. Who we play doesn’t matter, and when we play doesn’t matter, we just have to capitalize on the opportunity we have earned, and make a run at winning this tournament.” Lipsitz said.
