UK wins behind strong second-half

September 17, 2008 | Filed under: Sports News | Posted by:

During the first five games of the season, UK scored an average of 3.2 goals per game, which is third best in the nation in scoring.

But on Wednesday night at the UK Soccer Complex, the Cats (4-2) and the Michigan Wolverines (4-2) were in a defensive battle most of the game, before two second-half goals sealed the 2-1 victory for the Cats.

In the 55th minute, UK freshman forward Marco dos Santos gave UK its first goal, using the right side of the pitch to his advantage and whipping the ball into the back of the net for his third goal on the season.

“When Coach Collins talked to us in the locker room during halftime, he raised the level of energy, and it was something positive for us,” dos Santos said. “We came back, ran, worked hard, and scored when we had a chance.”

Junior defender Barry Rice gave UK the eventual game-winning goal in the 73rd minute off a 22-yard free kick. It was the first goal this season tallied by the preseason All-American.

“Both goals were top class,” UK head coach Ian Collins said. “Barry Rice’s free kick gave the goalkeeper no chance.”

Michigan made the game interesting in the 86th minute when senior forward Jake Stacy launched a ball into the box, where it deflected off UK junior goalkeeper Dan Williams’ gloves and into the net.

The Cats looked like they’d get one early in the match when dos Santos was fouled in the 18th minute, earning UK a free kick. Rice took the free kick and had a shot on goal, but Michigan goalkeeper Patrick Sperry was able to make a diving save.

The Cats nearly struck again in the 36th minute as junior midfielder Issam Sawtarie was able to get his head on a ball. However, Sperry pounced to the right corner of the net to make the save.

Senior forward Michael Strong, UK’s scoring leader with five goals in as many games, and junior forward Tim Crone, who earned a starting spot in Wednesday’s game after scoring two goals against Cincinnati on Saturday, were both unable to get a shot off due to the Wolverines suffocating defense.

“We came out with not as much energy, and we were a little bit flat,” Collins said. “We didn’t get a hold of the game at all in the first half, we didn’t find our rhythm. In the second half, what a turnaround. We did a 180 after halftime.”