Men’s soccer to host Wright State on Friday

Kentucky+mens+soccer+coach+Johan+Cedergren+watches+on+during+the+Kentucky+mens+soccer+match+against+Louisville+at+the+Wendell+and+Vickie+Bell+Soccer+Complex+in+Lexington%2C+Ky.%2C+on+Tuesday%2C+September+23%2C+2014.+Photo+by+Jonathan+Krueger

Kentucky men’s soccer coach Johan Cedergren watches on during the Kentucky men’s soccer match against Louisville at the Wendell and Vickie Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington, Ky., on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. Photo by Jonathan Krueger

By Anthony Crawford

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UK men’s soccer team is set to take on Wright State at 5 p.m. Friday. The team looks to build off their impressive start to season after a last minute goal by midfielder Napo Matsoso decided their last game against Valparaiso.

UK

1-0-0

Ranking: 14

Goals scored: 2

Goals allowed: 1

Average shots per game: 9

Average shots on goal: 4

Player to watch: Andrew McKelvey

In the comeback win last Friday, the sophomore forward provided an anchor for the Cats’ offense to play through. On multiple occasions he demonstrated his strength in order to retain possession and keep attacks alive. McKelvey also proved to be quite the distributor, providing the assist to Noah Hutchins’ goal in the 55th minute off a cross. McKelvey gives the Cats the target they need to break the opponent’s defensive line.

Preview:

The team will go into this game with a lot of momentum coming off a game with an 89th minute winner. Hoping to remain undefeated, the team will try not to overlook Wright State with the match-up against rival Louisville looming next Tuesday.

The Cats seemed in control for most of the first half, slightly winning possession, until the 40 minute mark when Valpo scored the opening goal off a well placed through ball. The Cats answered the call in the second half, dominating the possession and turning it into quality goal scoring opportunities with seven shots as opposed to just two in the first half. Many looks stemmed from working the ball from the middle to the wings for crosses. Matsoso and McKelvey were crucial for possessing in the middle and distributing to the wings.

Despite the goal in the first half, the defense held strong for most of the game limiting Valpo to just four shots on goal. Possession will not be a concern going forward, but finding scoring opportunities will be. As long as UK can keep up the inside-out game it displayed in the second half, then the goals will follow.

 Wright State

2-0-0

Ranking: n/a

Goals scored: 4

Goals allowed: 1

Average shots per game: 15.5

Average shots on goal: 9

Player to watch: Peguy Ngatcha

The junior forward has started the season on fire. Ngatcha has scored in both of the Raiders previous games and has had multiple shots on goal in each game. He is coming off a season where he was a First Team Horizon League honoree and was selected to NSCAA Third Team All Great Lakes Region. The forward has thrived this season off finishing crosses with either his head or foot, so the UK back line will need to keep a body on him whenever passes are sent into the box.

Preview:

Wright State is prone to stumbling out of the gate. The Raiders have failed to score in the first half of their first two games. Wright State has been able to save itself in the second half usually scoring within ten minutes of coming out of the locker room. The Raiders bring a veteran attack with most of their goals being scored and assisted by juniors Ngatcha, Jake Stovall, Sam DeRoy and Eric Lynch. Wright State will test the Cats’ defense more than previous competition seeing how they average over 15 shots per game. Ngatcha will look to continue his goal scoring streak with a win against the Cats.