UK bounces back against rival

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By Clark Brooks
sports@kykernel.com

When Indiana and UK meet during an athletic battle, most people expect to see the tradition-rich basketball schools on the hardwood. However, that’s not the only case when the border states meet in an athletic event.

The two men’s soccer programs also battled each other to a 1-1 tie Wednesday night in Bloomington, Ind.

“A lot of players from the state of Kentucky go north and become Hoosiers,” senior midfielder Chad Hagerty said before Wednesday night’s game. “Playing Indiana is a way to get back at them. Since we play them every year, emotions build between the players.”

The series has traditionally belonged to Indiana are 20-1-2 against the Cats. UK’s only win came in the 1995 season when Indiana was ranked No. 2 in the nation, but close games have cost the Cats in the past few years.

“This rivalry is a weird deal. When we started playing annually, we kept getting destroyed,” UK head coach Ian Collins said. “It kept being a one-sided affair until 1999. Once we proved we could play with the best of them, we have started looking forward to these types of games. We just haven’t gotten the bounces in the past, but I think this team is ready to step up and perform well.”

After giving up a goal only six seconds into the game against the No. 14 Hoosiers, UK was able to bounce back, netting the tying goal in the 22nd minute.

Junior Marco dos Santos was able to capitalize on an open goal after Hagerty found his way behind the defense and set-up dos Santos.

“Indiana is absolutely the top of collegiate soccer,” Collins said. “They always have great, physical teams that wear you down.”

The Cats scored their first goal against the Hoosiers, who are ranked No. 1 in the RPI,  since a loss in overtime in 2003. Collins thought UK was able to play well in a place where they average 2,000 fans per game and are always ready to back their team.

“Playing in Bloomington is always tough,” Collins said. “But, it will be a good challenge to see how far we have progressed as a team. If we can win in the most difficult place to play in the country, it will say much about this team’s character.”

The Cats were able to get a goal on a defense that was riding a three game winning streak. However, Hagerty said the way the Cats were playing he was not scared of the Hoosiers defense.

“Kevin Alston, a defender they have, is really good,” Hagerty said. “But, if we keep playing the way we have been lately and finish chances, it doesn’t matter who is playing defense against us.”

The tie against the Hoosiers could be vital in securing an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament for the Cats. Collins believes it is now important to use this as a stepping stone when the Cats take on conference foe Southern Methodist University.

“If you couldn’t get up for this game, you got a problem,” Hagerty said.