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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Close Out Four-Game Soccer Homestand
10/18/2001 | Soccer
Oct. 18, 2001
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss soccer team closes out its four-game Southeastern Conference homestand this weekend against its first Eastern Division opponents of the season in Kentucky and Vanderbilt.
The Rebels face off with Kentucky Friday at 7 p.m. CST and Vanderbilt Sunday at 3 at Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. The matchup with the Commodores will be televised nationally by FOX Sports Net.
Ole Miss (8-5-1, 3-1 SEC) moved into first place in the SEC West for the first time this season after sweeping Alabama and Auburn last weekend in a pair of 1-0 victories. The Rebels are 6-1-1 over their last eight games.
"I think we carry a lot of momentum in after the two big wins last weekend," said Ole Miss head coach Steve Holeman. "It's always tough to play against the Eastern Division. It's great to have them at home. We had a huge home field advantage last weekend.
"We know we need to play our game. I think the team is prepared for the challenge."
UM goalkeeper Melinda Smith is the reigning SEC Player of the Week after picking up the two shutouts last weekend. The senior from Tacoma, Wash., totaled eight saves for the weekend and has allowed only one score in her last 269:57 - all coming in league play.
The Rebels did not face either Kentucky or Vanderbilt in 2000, and will be looking for their first ever wins against the two programs. Ole Miss is 0-4 all-time against the Wildcats and 0-3 all-time against the Commodores.
After beginning the season with seven consecutive wins, UK (8-5, 2-3 SEC) skids into Oxford, losing five of its last six. Kentucky's last victory came against South Carolina on October 5, and in its last six games, the Cats have been outscored 10-2.
Nevertheless, Kentucky has risen as high as 10th in the national rankings this season, and boasts a 2000 All-SEC first team forward in junior Keri Boyce. The Pennsylvania native has teamed with senior midfielder Susie Ledzianowski and freshman and 2000 Parade All-American Kathy Fulk to lead the Wildcat attack this season.
Vanderbilt (4-6, 2-3 SEC) flies high into the weekend coming off a 2-1 upset of No. 20 Georgia last Sunday. However, the Commodores remain at the bottom of the conference in every offensive category.
After no overall points in her first two years in Nashville, junior Lizzy Johnson is topping VU in scoring this season with three goals and seven total points. Johnson is one of 10 'Dores to score a goal this season.
Sunday's FOX Sports Net telecast will be the Rebels' ninth TV appearance with the lone victory coming last year in a 3-2 win over Georgia in Athens. Ole Miss carries into the match a perfect 5-0 record on Sundays. The Rebels have outscored their opponents, 8-1, on the first day of the week.