UK goalkeeper Enrique Facusse earns fifth consecutive shutout
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – In a top-20 showdown televised nationally on FS1, No. 16 Kentucky (6-1-3, 1-0-1 Conference USA) and No. 4 Indiana (7-1-3, 3-0 Big Ten Conference) exhausted two overtime periods before coming away with a 0-0 tie on Wednesday night at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
Wednesday marked the first draw in the head-to-head series between UK and IU since 2010 and the first such occurrence in Bloomington since 2008.
UK goalkeeper Enrique Facusse earned a shutout against the Hoosiers for the second year in a row and for the fifth consecutive time of his junior campaign, adding to the Wildcats’ league-leading collection of six clean sheets overall. Indiana, like Kentucky, was shut out offensively for the second time this season.
Despite a scoreless result, Wednesday’s match featured plenty of action from both sides. An exceptionally physical struggle led Kentucky, which averaged 12.6 fouls per match heading into the night, to commit a season-high 21 infractions.
Kentucky led the shot count 14-12, attempting five in the first 10 minutes of overtime. Sophomore Brock Lindow, who received the second starting nod of his career after scoring the game-winning goal last Saturday at ETSU, shined once again with two shots on target off four attempts in a career-high 97 minutes.
Junior midfielder Kalil ElMedkhar aimed two of his three tries on goal, while Aimé Mabika, Daniel Evans, Robert Screen, Bailey Rouse, Clay Holstad, Brandon McManus and Jansen Wilson attempted one shot apiece.
The Cats will resume conference play on Sunday, taking on the undefeated No. 15 FIU Panthers (8-0-3, 3-0 C-USA) in a 6 p.m. ET kickoff at Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex. Kentucky’s ongoing eight-match unbeaten streak versus C-USA opponents began after a 3-2 loss at FIU last season.