UK tops SMU, clinches place in conference tournament

By Clark Brooks

The UK men’s soccer team defeated Southern Methodist University 1-0 Wednesday at the UK Soccer Complex. The win clinched a spot for the Cats in the Conference USA Tournament.

Both teams started the first half extremely aggressive on both sides of the pitch by tackling hard and creating plenty of opportunities to get good looks

SMU forced the issue early when Paulo da Silva forced a diving save from UK keeper Dan Williams. Also, da Silva would have had a goal in the 25th minute if not for an offside call.

“I felt we didn’t start the game well,” UK head coach Ian Collins said. “SMU came out focused and determined.”

UK responded offensively with a beautiful cross pattern started by Tim Crone to Taylor White to an open C.J. Tappel, but the shot was just wide. In the 36th minute Crone delivered a pass between two SMU defenders to Tyler Burns in the box but the junior midfielder wasn’t able to put enough on the shot.

“We always like to fly around,” Crone said. “We knew they would come out with a high intensity and we needed to match it. Both teams had to win, so we felt we needed to be on the offensive.”

The Mustangs answered right back to UK’s assault creating three chances in the Cats’ box, but all three were eventually cleared by the stout UK defense. SMU’s Pana de Almeida tried to give the Mustangs the lead going into halftime with a header in the 45th minute, but UK defender Barry Rice deflected the ball away nonchalantly, and both teams jogged to the locker rooms scoreless after a teeter-totter first half.

“We stuck to our game plan,” Collins said. “Since the rain has been making the field soft, we wanted to put the ball in the air more. And after a slow start, I was relieved to go into halftime tied.”

The second half began much like the first. Both teams knew this game could mark the end to their respective seasons.
Going into the game, the Cats needed to at least win or tie the Mustangs in order to make the C-USA Tournament. SMU, on the other hand, needed to beat the Cats and FIU to close out their season to clinch a C-USA playoff spot.

“It seems like we play a little better under pressure,” Crone said. “I like it.”

Both UK and SMU had free kick opportunities in the opening minutes of the half, but neither was able to capitalize. As the game went on, both teams continued to have good chances to score a goal.

In the 68th minute, however, UK broke the deadlock with a solo goal from Crone off a fastbreak, his second in 2009.
“The defense got back quicker than I thought they would,” Crone said. “But, Taylor (White) took a good wide path and gave me a crease. After that, I just aimed for a spot and hit it.”

After the goal, UK didn’t lose any effort offensively, mustering three shots in five minutes after netting the game-winner.

“After our first goal,” Collins said. “We started to get a feel for it on offense and could’ve ended up with three or four more goals.”

Despite having their season all but cut short, SMU never gave up until the final gun.

Wednesday’s match was originally supposed to be played on Oct. 25, but a few UK players were suffering from flu-like symptoms. But as the saying goes, better late than never, in regards to winning a game.

The Cats improved to 12-5-0 (5-3-0 C-USA) on the season and are currently riding a four-game winning streak.
“A while ago, the seniors talked to the rest of the team and wanted to turn things around,” Crone said. “Since then, we have gone into training sessions more focused and determined.”

“I’m real happy with these guys,” Collins said. “Most teams would have folded the way the beginning of the season went, but we have a lot of tough kids.”