Soccer opens weekend stand with Kentucky

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorback soccer team (9-5-0, 2-4-0) will look to end a four-game losing streak when it hosts Kentucky (3-9-2, 1-4-1) Friday evening. After winning its first two conference games, Arkansas has dropped four in a row, including three in which the team has held a lead. The Arkansas-Kentucky matchup is set for a 7 p.m. start at Razorback Field.Kentucky leads, 10-2-1, in the all-time series and, currently, has a 10-game unbeaten streak against the Razorbacks. In last season’s meeting, the Wildcats used a pair of penalty kicks to come away with a 2-1 victory in Lexington. Kathleen Paulsen scored Arkansas’ goal. The Razorbacks’ last win against Kentucky came during the 1994 season, a 4-2 home triumph. The previous five games between the two teams have been decided by one goal or less; in 2004, they battled to a 1-1 tie in double overtime.Offensively, the Razorbacks are led by Lindsay Patterson’s six goals and 13 points. She is tied for fifth in the SEC among a group of players with six goals. The six scores ties a career high for the senior forward. Kelly O’Connor is second on the team with five goals and 12 points. In goal, Britni Williams leads the conference with eight shutouts and carries a 0.94 goals against average, good for third in the SEC.Kentucky comes into the game off a 3-1 loss at Georgia in its last outing and having dropped four-straight games in conference play. Sophomore forward Laura Novikoff leads the Wildcats with five goals and 11 points. Sophomore goalkeeper Sydney Hiance has a 1.71 goals against average and has recorded four shutouts this season. The Wildcats return eight starters from last year’s squad.Fans are encouraged to participate in Cardinal Night as each person through the gate wearing a cardinal t-shirt will receive half off a general admission ticket. In cooperation with the American Heart Association, which will be in attendance handing out giveaways and other information, survivors of heart diseases will be recognized at halftime. The first fans through the gate will also receive lanyards, as supplies last.Arkansas enters the game in fifth place in the Western Division and tied for ninth overall with its six points. At the end of the regular season, the top eight teams in the league will advance to the SEC Tournament played Nov. 5-9 in Orange Beach, Ala.The Razorbacks’ game against South Carolina being played Oct. 26, the 2008 season home finale, has been moved up to 12:30 p.m. from its original time of 1 p.m. For more details and continued coverage of UA soccer, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.