By:
Brock Gilligan Reporter, Limestone Sports Network
Returning home from Norfolk, VA with a C-USA victory over Old Dominion, the Cats welcome in a future conference rival in #25 West Virginia. As of the day of each match Kentucky is in their fourth Top-25 matchup of the season, the three prior ending in 0-0 draws. The Mountaineers enter Lexington, closing out their four game road trip, on which they took their first and only loss of the season at Northern Illinois just ten days ago.
Defence has been the key to success this season for Kentucky. Only allowing four goals in 11 matches gives them the second best goals against average in the country at .36. While keeping the ball out of their own net has been consistent all season, scoring their own at times has been a struggle against top opponents. Shutting out three top 25 teams this season, including the defending National Champions, Marshall, on the road, the Cats have also failed to score in all three contests, totaling 15 shots on target in those matches.
West Virginia looks to rebound and keep their top 25 status afloat following their loss at Northern Illinois. Ranked as high as third in the nation, they have slid all the way down to the 25th spot in the following weeks. Like Kentucky, the Mountaineers have had goals from everywhere on the pitch. Twelve players have found the back of the net for WVU, four of them coming from their number ten, Yoran Popovic.
The first half was a possession battle, WVU found themselves holding most of the possession but only generating two total shots. Kentucky were on their heels for most of the half, finding a few sparks and getting two shots on target. The best chance of the half came for the Cats in the 42nd minute off a long throw and a flick over to Nick Gutmann which resulted in a kick save.
Coming out of the locker room Kentucky went on the attack adding another six shots to their total and having three be on target. While the Mountaineers answered with six shots of their own and the best chance of the half. Ryan Crooks took a shot from 25 yards out that curled, beating Kentucky goalie Jan Hoffelner, and only finding the woodwork. The scoreless half leads the Cats into their fourth consecutive overtime match with a top 25 opponent.
The first half of extra time saw no real threat for either team as no shots were recorded. The second half had some fire with WVU finding their first shot on target in the 103rd minute. Two minutes and ten seconds later, on a through ball from Gutmann, Daniel Evans slotted a shot just between the keepers legs to give the Cats their first goal against top 25 competition and the game winner.
The Cats move to 9-0-3 on the season and will play their next match on Saturday against the only other SEC school with Men’s Soccer, the South Carolina Gamecocks.
For more UK Athletics coverage, visit limestonesportsnetwork.com
Goals
UK: Daniel Evans (3) 105’, OT Game Winner
Saves
UK: Jan Hoffelner 1 WVU: Steven Tekesky 3