Cats fall 1-0 in overtime to Marshall

The+UK+mens+soccer+team+played+Marshall+on+Sunday+night%2C+Sept.+20%2C+2009.+Photo+by+Adam+Wolffbrandt

The UK men’s soccer team played Marshall on Sunday night, Sept. 20, 2009. Photo by Adam Wolffbrandt

By Clark Brooks

After 101 minutes of scoreless soccer, Marshall finally defeated No. 22 UK on a golden goal by senior defender Dustin Dawes.

The sloppy conditions lead to both squads trying to keep the ball off the ground, causing more jump ball opportunities.

After one half of play, UK and Marshall went into the locker rooms with a score of 0-0. Both teams played physical defense totaling seven fouls apiece, and keepers Dan Williams and Daniel Withrow each had two diving saves to preserve the deadlock.

The physical play continued in the second half and the goalies continued to make athletic saves. After a breakaway by UK senior Tim Crone, Withrow was able to get just enough on the ball to prevent a goal. A few minutes later on a Marshall free kick, Williams answered that effort with his third diving save of the game.

“We just didn’t capitalize on our chances tonight,” UK head coach Ian Collins said. “We should have been coasting 3-0 at that point. But, their goalie played a great game and that’s the way the game is sometimes.”

Due to their high intensity pressing, UK earned two yellow cards. Sophomore Taylor White took the first in the 62nd minute and senior Jase Griffiths took another in the 85th. In overtime, sophomore Aaron Dini received Marshall’s first yellow card in the 94th minute.

Entering the game, the Cats had a lot on their mind. A win would give them the best start in school history as well as giving the team its first conference win of the season. Also, UK’s unbeaten streak would have improved to 16 straight matches dating back to last October if the team won or tied. But, dreams of achieving those milestones were destroyed.

“We played a lot better than we did the other night,” Collins said. “That just didn’t translate on the scoreboard. We hope to bounce back in a few days.”