LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A successful spring exhibition season finished on a very strong note for the University of Evansville soccer team Saturday when Coach Mike Jacobs' squad defeated 2009 Conference USA finalist Marshall University and the host University of Kentucky.  

"We had talked in pregame about starting the match off by imposing ourselves on our opponents on both sides of the ball - a committed effort on our end really allowed us to do so," according to Jacobs.  

Mike Luttrull scored in the 5th minute, and an Aaron Henkle goal in the 15th minute allowed the Aces to dictate the tempo of the match.  Tom Irvin's goal in the 44th minute capped the scoring, and Robert Randant's late save on a free kick helped preserve the 3-0 shutout.

Scoring Summary (UE 3, Marshall 0)

5:00 - Luttrull (Kreamalmeyer, Lynch)

15:00 - Henkle (unassisted)

44:00 - Irvin (Kreamalmeyer, Menjivar) 

Irvin's goal in the 11th minute was the only tally against Kentucky in the second match of the doubleheader.  Evansville's defensive effort, which has been strong all spring, stood out again.

"We expected this to be a physical matchup," according to Jacobs.  "We really opened up and exposed them in the 1st half, holding them without a shot on goal.  It was a very tight game in the second half, and our defense - led by Justin Sass and Phil Boerger - kept things tight for us in the back to preserve the shutout." 

Scoring Summary (UE 1, Kentucky 0)

11:00 - Irvin (Kreamalmeyer, Lynch) 

"It was a great way to finish our spring exhibition season," said Jacobs, whose squad posted a 5-1 record.  The only loss and the only goals conceded all spring came three weeks ago against the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer (MLS).  "This team has grown a lot over the past year, and I know that our experience, maturity and confidence will be huge factors as we head into August for the start of the 2010 season."