Golden goal puts UK men’s soccer past Old Dominion in C-USA Tournament opener
November 14, 2013
Staff report
UK men’s soccer defeated No. 27 Old Dominion University, 1-0, in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament in Charlotte, N.C. on Wednesday.
After a 90-minute stalemate, UK broke the tie in the 93rd minute when senior forward Tyler Riggs sent a through ball past Old Dominion defenders where junior forward Justin Laird received the ball and buried it inside the far post.
Laird entered the game as a substitute in the second half.
UK sophomore goalkeeper Callum Irving guarded the net for the Cats en route to his sixth shutout of the season.
Irving recorded six saves, including a second-half penalty save, against an Old Dominion team that attempted 25 shots, including 11 by Old Dominion senior forward Tim Hopkinson.
UK head coach Johan Cedergren was impressed with the effort of his defense, especially Irving.
“Everyone did well, especially the back four and Cally (Irving). I think Cally is one of the top goalkeepers in the country,” Cedergren said.
The victory improved the Cats’ record to 7-9-3 overall, while Old Dominion finished their 2013 season with a record of 10-5-1.
The Cats will attempt to prolong their season in the semifinals of the C-USA Tournament at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Transamerica Field. UK will face the winner of No. 3 seeded University of Alabama-Birmingham and No. 6 seeded University of North Carolina Charlotte.