Aug 13, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — For the first time since 2009, the Kentucky men’s soccer team enters the 2013 season receiving votes in the preseason National Soccer Coaches Association of America top-25 poll, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Kentucky received six votes in the preseason NSCAA top-25 poll, effectively ranking the Wildcats No. 34. UK receiving votes in the preseason is the first time since UK was receiving votes in the Soccer Times 2009 preseason poll. UK was also honored during the 2011 preseason as a College Soccer News “Team to Watch”.

The Wildcats are also ranked No. 32 by BennettRank, a new computer-based ranking system. UK will play eight teams in 2013 ranked in the preseason top-50 by BennettRank.

Kentucky returns preseason All-Conference USA defender Steven Perinovic, and 2012 All-Conference USA honorees in goalkeeper Jack Van Arsdale and electric goal-scoring forward Tyler Riggs.

Kentucky will open its 2013 season with a pair of exhibition games, starting with Dayton on Aug. 20 at the UK Soccer Complex. UK will open its regular-season on Aug. 30 vs. Wright State at 7:30 p.m. ET at the UK Soccer Complex.