Indiana University Athletics
IU Falls to Kentucky, 2-1 (08-22-03)
8/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Ft. Wayne, Ind. - Kentucky's Nathan Li converted a rebound goal with 26 seconds remaining in regulation to push the Wildcats past Indiana, 2-1, Friday night in the IPFW Soccer Showcase in Ft. Wayne, Ind. The exhibition contest is the first of two for the Hoosiers this weekend as they will take on Rutgers on Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Hefner Soccer Complex.
"I hope that people won't look at this score and think this in indicative of how (good) IU Soccer is going to be this year," head coach Jerry Yeagley said. "We gave up two re-start goals and I think that's where our youth showed. I was pleased with our play in the second half. We had several chances to score. With a late goal like that, that's sometimes how soccer goes."
The Hoosiers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute as a pair of IU seniors connected for the score. Ft. Wayne product Drew Shinabarger hit forward Vijay Dias with a cross five yards out directly in front of the goal. Dias punched a diving header past the Kentucky goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats battled back to tie it up in the 39th minute when Jamal Shteiwi lifted a free kick in the top right corner of the goal.
Indiana controlled the field for the majority of the second half, creating more scoring chances than Kentucky. IU out-shot the Wildcats 10-6 in the second stanza and 13-10 overall. But UK's final shot, with just 26 seconds showing on the clock, sealed a victory. After an Indiana foul, the ensuing free kick was deflected. Off the rebound, Li punched the ball into the back of the net for the win.
Kentucky and Indiana tied, 1-1, at last season's IPFW Showcase and the Hoosiers won the regular season meeting between the two teams, 2-1, in Lexington. This season, they will meet in Indiana's regular season finale in Bloomington on Sunday, Nov. 2.
