Dominance at home continues for UK men’s soccer over Old Dominion
Freshman forward Connor Probert scores the team’s only goal of the match agains Dartmouth on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. The match was tied 1-1. Photo by Hunter Mitchell | Staff
October 15, 2016
Defense was the order of the day as the No. 20 UK men’s soccer team notched a commanding win against the Old Dominion Monarchs, 2-0.
Despite coming off a heartbreaking loss to UAB on the road, UK had to like where it stood in the matchup with Old Dominion.
Old Dominion holds the last spot in the Conference USA standings, and have not won a single game on the road all season, while the Cats had yet to lose at home. The Monarchs also came into this matchup on a four-game losing streak.
This was extremely apparent through the first 45 minutes, in which UK had no problem repeatedly probing into Monarch territory.
They got off to a quick start, scoring in the third minute off a penalty kick from senior defender Jordan Wilson. That goal would prove to be the only of the first half, as the UK defense refused to allow any real threat to the goal from Old Dominion through the rest of the half, not allowing a single shot on goal.
No team would reach the back of the net again until the 78th minute, when forward Connor Probert scored his second goal of the year, taking an expert pass from Sam Stockton. JJ Williams was also credited with an assist.
Through the end of the second half, the Monarch’s frustration showed, as they saw an increase in fouls, including a yellow card on defender Christian Wirth, as he got physical trying to stop a breakaway by JJ Williams.
Throughout the match, the trademark saran wrap-like UK defense held tough, not allowing a single shot on goal, while pushing for seven of their own. In the eight home games the Cats have had, they have only allowed two total goals, and there were no lapses in this game.
“You can’t just have a back four that does that,” Wilson said. “The guys in the back have been playing together a lot… and the front guys are really putting on a show. It’s a whole team effort.”
UK is now 6-0-2 at home and 8-3-2 overall. The team also moves to 3-2-0 in conference play and sit at third place in the conference.
UK will be back in action at the Bell Tuesday at 7 PM, where they’ll take on Bowling Green.