 |
Kay's Pair Of Goals Helps MU To 2-1 Win Over Cincinnati
Sept. 30, 2007
MU-UC Box Score (PDF) Milwaukee - Sophomore Nick Kay jump-started the offensive attack for the Marquette University men's soccer team (2-6-1, 1-4-0 BIG EAST) by netting a pair of goals in a 2-1 victory over Cincinnati (3-5-1, 2-1-1 BIG EAST) Sunday afternoon at Valley Fields. Kay's second marker proved to be the game winner in overtime as the Golden Eagles picked up their first BIG EAST Conference victory of the 2007 campaign. "We saw a huge improvement today from our match on Friday night," head coach Louis Bennett said. "I was very pleased with our work ethic and character today and I think the win was in large part a result of those areas. Having talent is easy, using it the right way is the hard part." MU played with two forwards the entire afternoon, but it wasn't until Kay and sophomore Michael Greene were inserted into the lineup midway through the first half that the offense began to generate consistent pressure. Kay's opening goal of the match came at the 33:51 mark and was the result of a nice build up through the midfield. Greene played sophomore Tom Lynn down the left side and his through ball found the feet of Kay at the top of the box. Kay gained possession and was able to beat Bearcat netminder Miguel Rosales to the far post as he tried to cut down the angle.
"We were able to put some passes together for the first time all day and the result was a goal," Bennett said. Cincinnati swung momentum in its favor early in the second half following a penalty kick that knotted the score at 1-1. MU was whistled for a hand ball in the box and UC's Noah Davidson converted on the chance. The Golden Eagles were forced to weather a steady offensive attack by Cincinnati for the remainder of the second half. Freshman goalkeeper Steve Purdy, who finished with five saves, made some key stops during that time frame and allowed Kay to play the role of hero. A Bearcat foul gave MU's Billy Von Rueden a free kick just across midfield. His service found Kay at the top of the box, standing all alone amidst the UC defense. Kay's header was a laser toward the back post and Rosales could do nothing but watch the ball cross the line at the 104:13 mark. Kay's scoring plays were his first of the season. He also found the back of the net for the first time since 2005. Freshman Matt Stummer nearly gave MU the lead late in the second half, but his back-post attempt was cleared off the line by a UC defender following a long throw. |
|
