Kentucky Men's Soccer Secures Last Minute Dub in 2nd Game of Season
A last-ditch effort allowed No. 3 Kentucky Men’s Soccer to walk away with a 1-0 win on Monday night.
The Wildcat took on the East Tennessee State Buccaneers at The Wendell and Vickie Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington. Coming into the match, UK was fresh off a 3-0 dominant victory over Florida Gulf Coast University last Thursday. It was a perfect start to the season for Kentucky, which enters 2023 as the preseason pick to win the Sun Belt Conference.
But on Monday, Kentucky came out sluggish. In fact, both teams came out of the gate looking lackluster. The Buccaneers started with possession, and it was a fairly even momentum shift between both teams.
Within the first 10 minutes, the ‘Cats got a few good looks on goal but none went into the back of the net. Junior Casper Grening had a few corner attempts that were sent in, but he also failed to put a goal on the board.
Other than a few good looks from both teams, the first half was slow. Neither team could power one through in the first 45 minutes and the match went into the half at nil-nil.
Lexington’s own Max Miller saves the day
The Buccaneers came out of the locker room with some pep in their step entering the second half. Kentucky, however, seemed flustered — their passes relaxed and not as well executed as normal.
But when the ‘Cats needed a push, sophomore captain and Lexington native Max Miller continued to show why he wears the captain band. Miller led the charge on both ends of the field as he would push the ball against the Buccaneers. At the same time, he also got back to put on the pressure when East Tennessee State broke away.
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Still scoreless going into the 80′, the Buccaneers were running a fast breakaway. Sophomore and star UK keeper Casper Mols came out of his box and attempted to block the ball, but it got around him and was headed for the back of the net until Miller made an incredible save to keep the game tied at 0-0 late in the match.
In the final 10-minute stretch, the Wildcats looked aggressive and played to win. They had opportunities off of corners, but ETSU would not give up on defense and found a way to get the ball out.
The East Tennessee State defense held up until the 88′ when Kentucky senior Ben Damge got his foot on a ball that was sent in from freshman Alfred Baafi, slipping it past the Bucs’ keeper to give the ‘Cats a last-minute, 1-0 lead.
Kentucky held possession and kept the Buccaneers away from their goal in the last two minutes to come away with the victory. The 1-0 win on Monday night keeps the ‘Cats in the win column with their 2-0 record early on the season.
Next up for UK is the University of Wisconsin on Friday, September 1 at 8:00 p.m. on the road in Madison.
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