UK MEN'S SOCCER LEADS C-USA IN ATTENDANCE

For all you Wildcats fans, the information below just rolled across my desk.

LEXINGTON, Ky. -For the second time in its three years as a member, the Kentucky men’s soccer team has paced Conference USA in attendance, averaging 888 fans per game in 2007.

The UK men’s soccer team, a member of C-USA for just three years, has led the league in attendance for two of its three years. In 2005, its first year as a member, the Wildcats totaled 969 fans per game with nine home games. In 2006, UK ranked third to South Carolina (1,156) and UAB (954), with an average of 742. UK’s 888 average in 2007, leads the league, with UAB ranking second with an average of 747 fans per game.

“We have great fans,” Kentucky head coach Ian Collins said. “Our students always turn out in force and throughout the State people have always been behind us. In one of the top conferences in college soccer it is imperative that we have excellent fan support, and the attendance numbers over the past three years backs that up. For us to lead the league for the second time in just our third year in C-USA, speaks volumes about the program and the type of fans we have throughout Big Blue Nation. We have a great home schedule in 2008 including South Carolina, Michigan, Memphis and FIU and the players and coaches are looking forward to giving all of the fans something to be excited about in 2008.”

Kentucky capped of its 2007 season with a 5-3 conference record, including the first win over a No. 1-ranked team in program history, a thrilling come-from-behind 2-1 win over SMU. UK returns several key cogs of that team in 2008, including C-USA Defensive Player of the Year Barry Rice, goalkeeper Dan Williams, as well as midfielders Masumi Turnbull, Jason Griffiths and strikers Tim Crone and C.J. Tappel. This along with some outstanding newcomers should give UK a platform for success in 2008.