For the first time since 2009, Kentucky will open the Conference USA portion of its schedule with an undefeated record. In fact, Friday’s league opener pits two teams yet to lose this year against each other.
The No. 19 Wildcats will put their 2017 record of won 3, lost 0, drew 1 on the line against University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers (W2, L0, D2).
The match will be streamed live on ESPN3/WatchESPN (link to be added later).
The Setup
Friday’s match will be the second half of a UK soccer double-header. The UK women’s team will kick off against Western Illinois at 5 p.m. ET with the Kentucky men’s team’s game to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Friday kicks off UK Athletics’ Heroes Weekend. All military personnel and first responders will receive free admission into both matches of the doubleheader.
Kentucky will be playing at home for the first time since winning the season opener Aug. 25, 1-0 in overtime, against Marquette. UK won road matches in Tennessee at East Tennessee State University and Memphis in the second week of the season and then drew 2-2 at No. 8 Louisville on Tuesday.
UAB enters unblemished, having started the year with a 0-0 draw against UNC-Greensboro before winning two straight and then drawing Missouri State on Monday.
UAB is 2-0 on the road this season. The Blazers have conceded just one goal in 2017, and it came in a 2-1 win at Jacksonville.
The quote
“It’s obviously really important to get points out of those conference games, especially at home,” UK midfielder Sam Stockton said. “UAB is a tough opponent so we turn our attention to them quickly as we begin the league schedule.”
The History
UK is 7-6 against UAB all-time. UAB defeated Kentucky 2-1 in Birmingham last season, breaking a UK two-match winning streak. UK has an 18-15 goals-for/against advantage in the series.
UK is 4-3 v UAB in Lexington, and 1-0 at The Bell in its present configuration (since 2014).
The logistics
Gates will open at 4 p.m – an hour before the UK women’s team game.
Tickets are $5 for the general public and $2 for youth and seniors. Fans can purchase tickets online via Ticketmaster or by calling (800) 928-2287, or at the ticket window at The Bell.
Kentucky Athletics is excited to utilize ticket scanning at The Bell this season. Season ticket holders will receive individual game barcoded tickets to be scanned on game day.
Season ticket holders still receive a 2017 Kentucky Soccer scarf as a gift for their season ticket purchase (based on availability). Season tickets are still available for $30 through UKAthletics.com/tickets.
As aforementioned, Friday begins Heroes Weekend in Lexington, ahead of Saturday’s UK football home opener against Eastern Kentucky.
All military personnel and first responders will receive free admission into both matches of the doubleheader.
Early arriving fans will receive a camouflage UK soccer bandana.
Fans can also pick up the second edition in a nine-match series of individual match posters.
Students can take advantage of a free shuttle picking up at two campus locations — The 90 and the Wildcat Statue on Avenue of Champions across from Memorial Coliseum/adjacent to Bowman’s Den.
Parking for the match is first come first served located outside the stadium’s main entrance and in the Kroger Field blue and green lots with continuous shuttle service running from car parks up to the front gates of The Bell beginning at 4 p.m.
The shuttle will continue until one hour after the match.
UK players will sign autographs on the side of the pitch following the match weather permitting.
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For the best coverage of UK men’s soccer follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in addition to on UKathletics.com.
‑ GO CATS –
For more information contact:
Jake Most
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