After leading the country in shutouts a season ago, goalkeeper Enrique Facusse recorded the first blank sheet of his junior campaign as No. 9 Kentucky (2-1) defeated Tulsa (2-1) 2-0 on Friday at Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.
“I would say the biggest thing was the mentality,” said associate head coach Chase Wileman. “I think we always work hard. We always give 100%, mostly in our defensive pressing and our individual defending. I think we had a lot of intensity tonight.”
Offensively, UK sophomore forwards Jason Reyes and Daniel Evans set the tone in the 14th all-time meeting between Kentucky and Tulsa.
Reyes, the Conference USA Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year, sparked momentum for the rest of the night with an unassisted score in the third minute. The goal marked the San José, Costa Rica, native’s second in three matches.
After carrying the 1-0 lead into halftime, Evans led the charge in the second period by delivering his first goal of the year in the 58th minute. The 5-foot-7 forward was assisted on a cross by sophomore midfielder Clay Holstad.
“I’m happy that (Evans) scored his first goal of the season,” Reyes said. “He’s going to score a lot more. My goal was thanks to him, he got the pressure right. His goal was amazing, and he was the man of the match.”
The Wildcats will compete in Lexington once again on Wednesday, taking on No. 14 Xavier (3-0) at 7:30 p.m. ET.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s soccer team, follow @UKMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as on the web at UKAthletics.com.
