Kentucky Wildcats men's soccer
The Kentucky Wildcats men's soccer team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of the University of Kentucky.
Kentucky Wildcats men's soccer | |||
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Founded | 1991 | ||
University | University of Kentucky | ||
Athletic director | Mitch Barnhart | ||
Head coach | Johan Cedergren (7th season) | ||
Conference | Conference USA | ||
Location | Lexington, KY | ||
Stadium | Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex (Capacity: 3,368) | ||
Nickname | Wildcats | ||
Colors | Blue and White[1] | ||
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NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals | |||
2018 | |||
NCAA Tournament Round of 16 | |||
2018 | |||
NCAA Tournament appearances | |||
1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 | |||
Conference Tournament championships | |||
1999, 2000, 2001, 2018 | |||
Conference Regular Season championships | |||
2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2015, 2018 |
Since the Southeastern Conference (SEC) does not sponsor men's soccer (minimum four schools needed to sponsor a sport, only two offer it), the team has been associate members of other conferences. From 1995 to 2004, it was a member of the Mid-American Conference.[2] Since 2005, Kentucky is a member of Conference USA, creating a rivalry with fellow new member South Carolina, which had rejoined the reunified conference that season.
In 2018, Kentucky went 17-1-1 with wins against #6 Louisville and #2 Indiana, both by a score of 3-0 at home. They finished 7-1 overall in conference play with their only lose coming on the road at FIU 2-3. The Wildcats won the C-USA Regular Season and Tournament Titles. They were the #3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, their highest ever.[3]
The school has two major rivalries, one traditional and one unique since they are an all-sports in-conference competition, but in this sport is a rivalry because of its nature.
- Governor's Cup: Against in-state rival Louisville, the traditional all-sports rivalry between Louisville (ACC) and Kentucky (C-USA).
- SEC Derby: While South Carolina is not regarded as a rivalry in the Southeastern Conference for other sports, the two schools are the only playing members of the sport with normal SEC membership, . Kentucky left the Mid-American Conference after the 2004 season when South Carolina rejoined the reunified Conference USA, which they had been a member last in 1994 (when it was the Metro). Both schools have referred to the rivalry as the Southeastern Conference Men's Championship.
Notable former players
Ilkka Jäntti Andy Gruenebaum Riley O'Neill Michael D'Agostino Barry Rice Jason Griffiths Callum Irving Napo Matsoso JJ Williams
References
- Primary Color Palette (PDF). University of Kentucky Athletics Brand Identity Guidelines. February 5, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
- "Annual Standings" (PDF). 2012 MAC Men's Soccer Record Book. Mid-American Conference. Retrieved April 22, 2013.