Aug. 7, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky redshirt senior defender Steven Perinovic has been voted preseason All-Conference USA by the league coaches, it was announced by the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.

A native of Delafield, Wis., Perinovic earned first-team All-Conference USA in 2012 while leading the Wildcats to its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2003. Perinovic was a force on the backline as UK’s leading centerback, making all 21 starts and leading the team with 1,892 minutes played.

A physically gifted athlete with great instincts and timing when winning contested headers in the air, Perinovic totaled one goal – a game-winning tally vs. East Tennessee State – playing the full time in 18 of his 21 games. With UK battling injuries late in the year, Perinovic played the full-time in the final eight games, a span of 560 consecutive minutes.

Perinovic was named to the C-USA All-Tournament Team, the UKIT and Gamecock Classic All-Tournament Teams and second-team All-Midwest Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 2012. Perinovic was also named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week and C-USA Defensive Player of the Week during 2012.

In his three-year career, Perinovic has played in 59 games with 53 starts, totaling one goal, two assists and 18 shots.

Kentucky will open its 2013 season with a pair of exhibition tune ups, including an Aug. 20 match with Dayton at the UK Soccer Complex. UK will open its regular season on Aug. 30 against Wright State at 7:30 p.m. ET at the UK Soccer Complex.