#14/12 Kentucky Welcomes Marshall to The Bell for Senior Night
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LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 14/12 Kentucky men’s soccer team will put its three-match winning streak on the line when it plays Marshall in the regular-season home finale Sunday.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET. SEC Network+ will broadcast the match streaming live on WatchESPN/ESPN3.
Kentucky’s six seniors – Ryan Creel, Napo Matsoso, Sam Miller, Charlie Reymann, Paul Sime and Jordan Wilson – will be honored before the match. The Senior Day ceremony is scheduled to begin at approximately 6:45 p.m.
The setup
Kentucky has a 2016 record of won 10, lost 3, drew 2 (4-2-1 Conference USA) this season. Kentucky is third in the league on 12 points with two match days remaining.
Marshall is 6-9-1, 1-4-1 in Conference USA.
Napo Matsoso scored a brace for the third time this year, in the Wildcats’ midweek win at Florida Atlantic. The senior midfield maestro ranks fifth in C-USA in goals scored, and sixth in points (16 – six goals, four assists).
With six goals and four assists, Matsoso has had a hand in 48 percent of UK’s 21 goals this season.
Stuart Ford has kept eight clean sheets this season, the second most in the league. Kentucky boasts C-USA’s No. 2 goals-against average: .57. That mark is eighth best in the NCAA.
Charlie Reymann has the team lead with seven assists, which is the most in C-USA as well.
Kentucky has now won 10 games for the third season in a row.
Kentucky has scored 21 goals and conceded nine this season. In league play the Wildcats have scored eight and conceded five. All the goals UK has conceded to C-USA opponents came on the road.
Kentucky is 7-0-2 at home overall. UK has scored 10 and conceded two at home all season.
Kentucky held at No. 14 in this week’s NSCAA coaches’ poll and moved up two spots to No. 12 in this week’s NCAA Rating Percentage Index.
Kentucky is on a three-match winning streak, and is 7-1-1 in its last nine outings.
The quotes
“I’m really excited for the game,” Matsoso said. “I think all the seniors are excited, but we’ve just got to take this like every conference game and make sure we come out ready.”
The precedent
The Wildcats are 18-7-3 all-time against Marshall. UK has won four-straight in the series, all in shutouts.
The Class of 2016
Kentucky’s seniors collectively have brought the program to new heights over the course of their four years in Lexington, having won the Conference USA Championship last season and reached the NCAA Tournament each of the past two years.
The C-USA Outlook
No. 8 Charlotte defeated No. 25 South Carolina Wednesday, and tops the table on 15 points. South Carolina, which UK will play next week, is second with 13 points. Kentucky is third on 12 points.
UK Soccer in C-USA
Kentucky plays in C-USA in men’s soccer only. The Southeastern Conference does not offer men’s soccer as a sport. South Carolina is the only other SEC university that has a varsity men’s soccer team. The Gamecocks are also in C-USA.
The logistics
Gates will open at 6 p.m.
The first 250 fans to enter The Bell will receive a Senior Day poster featuring the likeness of all six of Sunday’s pre-match honorees.
Fans who bring an unwanted winter coat will be rewarded with free admission.
Tickets are $5 for the general public and $2 for youth and seniors. Fans can purchase tickets online via Ticketmaster or by calling (800) 928-2287, or at the ticket window at The Bell.
Kentucky’s 600-plus season ticket holders can wear their 2016 Kentucky Soccer scarves to gain admission.
Parking for the match is first come first served located outside the stadium’s main entrance. Overflow parking will be available above the soccer practice pitch.
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