ASHEVILLE, N.C. ? UNC Asheville and Kentucky played for 110 minutes but neither team could score as the Bulldogs and Wildcats battled to a scoreless tie at Greenwood Field Saturday afternoon.
It was the first point ever for UNC Asheville (2-3-2) against Kentucky in 12 tries. The Wildcats (4-2-2) remained unbeaten in their last four games but were shutout for the second straight match.
“This was a good result for our lads,” commented UNC Asheville coach Steve Cornish.
“Kentucky is very explosive offensively and for us to hold them scoreless is really impressive.
“I thought we got stronger as the match went and almost got a victory a few times in overtime,” added Cornish. “I hope we can build on this as we enter the second half of the season.”
Kentucky out-shot Asheville 15-5 but the Bulldogs had 13 corner-kicks to just five for the Wildcats.
Asheville goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen posted his first career shutout for the Bulldogs. He stopped four shots, including a point-blank save on a shot from Michael Strong late in the first half.
UK goalkeeper Dan Williams had his third shutout of the year with two saves, both in the first overtime period. None was better than on an Asheville corner kick when freshman Jake Sides sent a header right toward the back of the net but Williams stopped the shot and kept the match scoreless.
The Bulldogs play at national power North Carolina on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Asheville returns home to host VMI next Saturday (Oct. 4) at 2 p.m. in the Big South opener.
