Soccer Plays Dayton to Scorless Draw in Exhibition Opener
Aug 20, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Behind a strong performance from the Kentucky men’s soccer defense, the Wildcats posted a 0-0 tie with Dayton in UK’s exhibition opener, on a gorgeous Tuesday night at the UK Soccer Complex.
Kentucky posted a shutout against the high-powered Flyers, who finished the 2012 season ranked No. 7 in the NCAA in scoring offense. UK used a pair of strong outings from its keepers, Jack Van Arsdale and Callum Irving, and got great games from center backs in freshman Jordan Wilson and senior Brad Doliner.
The Wildcats finished with seven shots, including two coming on target. UK was led with two shots from sophomore midfielder Isak Krogstad. UK also got shots from freshman Napo Matsoso and Sam Miller, with newcomer Justin Laird adding a shot and sophomores Jacob Scearce and Kristoffer Tollefsen each recording shots.
Overall, UK played 12 players in their first collegiate action, including freshmen Wilson, Matsoso, Miller, Alex Bumpus, Charlie Reymann, Kaelon Fox, Paul Sime, Jason Pitts, Cameron Mohseni, Ryan Creel and Ben Perkins. Laird’s action was also the first of his UK career after transferring from Wright State.
Van Arsdale, a 2012 All-Conference USA honoree in goal for UK, had a save in his 45 minutes of action. Irving worked the final 45 minutes, with UK recording a team save during his half.
Dayton collected 10 shots and eight corner kicks in the game, with Eddie Jones firing four shots to lead the Flyers. Chris Froschauer saved two shots in 90 minutes in goal.
Kentucky had its best scoring chance in the first half on Krogstad’s shot on goal in the 32nd minute. Krogstad was played a ball from freshman Matsoso into the box, firing a hard-hit shot that forced a diving save by Froschauer going to his left.
The Wildcats had a great scoring chance in the 64th minute, as Laird fired a hard-hit shot that bounced off the crossbar.
Kentucky will play its final exhibition on Sunday at Northern Kentucky, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET at Highland Heights, Ky. UK will open its regular season on Aug. 30 vs. Wright State at the UK Soccer Complex.
GAME NOTES: Freshmen Alex Bumpus, Charlie Reymann, Jordan Wilson and Napo Matsoso made their first career starts … Freshman Cameron Mohseni was UK’s first sub of the game, checking in to play the final eight minutes of the first period … Freshmen Kaelon Fox, Paul Sime, Sam Miller, Jason Pitts, Ryan Creel and Ben Perkins each subbed in in the second half for their first exhibition action … UK is now 0-0-2 in exhibition action under head coach Johan Cedergren, also drawing Northern Kentucky in a long scrimmage in 2012.
CEDERGREN POSTGAME
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