Nov. 12, 2008

Box Score

DALLAS, Texas - Second-seeded Kentucky used a two-goal effort from senior forward Michael Strong to down Marshall, 4-2, in the opening match of the 2008 Conference USA Men’s Soccer Championship at Westcott Field on the campus of SMU in Dallas.

The Wildcats are now on a school record eight-game unbeaten streak. The program has had three steaks of seven games all-time, most recently in 2004. Kentucky’s last loss was on Oct. 8 against league foe No. 7 Tulsa in Oklahoma.

UK jumped out to the early 1-0 lead in the sixth minute when Tyler Burns took a cross from all-conference third-team member Masumi Turnbull and one-timed the ball past Herd keeper Greg Walter from 16 yards out for the early advantage. The goal for Burns was his second on the season.

Eight minutes later, C.J. Tappel banged home a shot from just outside the box for his third goal of 2008 to give his team a two-goal advantage. C-USA Newcomer of the Year Marco dos Santos was credited with the assist. He now has a team-high tying five.

Strong broke free in the 33rd minute and scored unassisted on a breakaway for his first tally of the contest and his effort pushed the Wildcat lead to 3-0 entering intermission.

The teams played even for the next 20+ minutes to begin the second half, before Marshall scored to chip into the UK lead. All-CUSA third-team member Jira Cooley used some nice moves to get past the Wildcat defense and took a shot from the top of the box that bounced off the crossbar and into the goal.

Strong answered just minutes later with his second goal of the game and ninth on the season when he headed a Bingy Lara free kick from the right side past Walter. Four of Strong’s nine goals this season have come against the Herd and he has 20 career goals, which is sixth-most at UK

The Herd closed the gap to 4-2 in the 81st minute when Kolby LaCrone nailed a shot from the right side unassisted, but would get no closer.

Head coach Ian Collins was impressed with the efforts of both teams and especially the play of Michael Strong.

“Hopefully now we can get everybody healthy,” Collins said. “I thought Marshall played well and really competed hard. Both teams gave everything they had. I thought Marshall was terrific. They just wouldn’t go away, I wished they would’ve, but they wouldn’t. We are finding our way back from injuries and he (Strong) is one of them. I was pleased with what he did and pleased with our work rates and I thought our guys did well.”

Marshall ends its season at 3-14-1, while Kentucky improved to 11-4-4. The Wildcats advance to Friday’s semifinals and will battle the winner of No. 3 Memphis and No. 6 UCF.

For complete C-USA Men’s Soccer Championship information visit www.ConferenceUSA.com