Aug. 26, 2012
DAYTON, Ohio — Despite goals from Matt Lodge, Charley Pettys and Tyler Riggs, Dayton senior Daniel Berko completed a hat trick to lift the Flyers to a 4-3 win over Kentucky men’s soccer in the UK season opener and the opening game of the Johan Cedergren era, on a steamy Sunday night at Baujan Field.
Kentucky (0-1) suffered the loss in the season opener, despite a strong performance for the Wildcats offensively. UK managed possession highly successfully in the first half and owned a 21-15 overall advantage in shots and a 7-4 lead in corner kicks.
After a scoreless first half, Dayton took a lead to open the second period, before UK evened up the game on the goal from Riggs. The Flyers then got three go-ahead goals, who took the commanding lead in the 60th minute. The Wildcats then mounted a furious rally behind the firepower of Pettys and Lodge to cut the lead to 4-3 and put UK in a position to tie the game up in the final seconds. UK’s four-goal output was its most in a season opener since beating Central Arkansas 6-0 in 2008.
Dayton (2-0) posted the win with its second-half rally, as the Flyers have now opened up the 2012 season with a 3-2 win over Ohio State and a 4-3 win over the Wildcats.
UK freshman goalkeeper Callum Irving, a decorated recruit out of Vancouver, British Columbia, suffered the loss, despite saving six shots in his collegiate debut. Dayton keeper Chris Froschauer saved four shots in the game, improving to 2-0-0.
Dayton got on the board in the 52nd minute, as the ball was played back to Irving by the UK backline. Irving ran out to grab the ball but slipped on the turf while leaping for the ball, leaving an open net for Berko’s first goal of the game.
UK immediately answered with a well-formed attack in the 54th minute, evening up the game at 1-1. Kristoffer Tollefsen sent a long ball down the center of the pitch to find Riggs, who got a head on it and netted it past the keeper at the left post. The goal was the 17th of Riggs’ career and the assist was Tollefsen’s first career. Riggs ranks ninth in UK soccer career history in goals and with 39 career points, ranking 11th in school history.
The Flyers took a lead with a goal in the 58th minute, as Jonathan Nelson played a ball across the box, with Berko netting the ball past Irving at the far post.
In the 59th minute, Dayton netted his third goal of the game for a 3-1 lead. The goal was set up on the corner kick as a ball was played back to Irving, who incidentally touched the ball as it hit the end line, setting up the corner. Eddie Jones sent the corner into the box, with Greg Enstone heading it back to Andres Acevedo, who headed it in for his first goal.
The Wildcats got a goal back in the 65th minute, as Pettys connected on a penalty kick goal, his first career penalty kick.
In the 85th minute, UK cut the lead to 4-3 with a gorgeous goal from Lodge. Lodge stole the ball at the corner of the pitch and fought through the UD defense to fire a hard-hit, low-lining shot that beat the keeper for the goal. Lodge now owns 18 career goals and 51 career points, ranking eighth in career goals and tied for sixth in UK career history in points.
UK will return to action on Friday and Sunday, traveling to the 2012 Gamecock Classic, hosted by South Carolina, where UK will face Northwestern and St. Joesph’s.
GAME NOTES: Johan Cedergren is the third coach in UK soccer history, with UK coaches now owning a 1-2 record all-time in coaching debuts … UK’s Tyler Riggs netted his 17th career goal, ranking ninth in UK career history … Charley Pettys recorded his first career penalty kick opportunity, netting his fifth career goal … Matt Lodge now owns 18 career goals to rank eighth-most in UK history and his 51 career points ranks tied with Lee Baker for sixth-most … Kristoffer Tollefsen recorded an assist in his first collegiate game … UK’s four-goal output is the most in a season lidlifter since scoring six in 2008 vs. Central Arkansas … The opening loss snapped a streak of four consecutive season openers won.
