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The University of Evansville and University of Kentucky men's soccer teams have played each other often in the spring. Now the Purple Aces and Wildcats meet when it counts, and both are hungry for wins.  Kentucky comes into Sunday’s 2:00 CDT match at UE's McCutchan Stadium at 2-4-1 after losing two straight overtime matches, 2-1 to Iona last Sunday in a tournament at Columbia, S.C., and 3-2 Wednesday at Michigan.  Coach Mike Jacobs’ 4-2-1 Aces are still ranked number one nationally in total goals (19), but they’ve been limited to one tally in the last two matches--a scoreless draw with Xavier and a 3-1 loss last Sunday at Western Illinois.  The most recent UE-UK game, at Lexington in April, produced a 1-0 Evansville victory thanks to Tom Irvin’s goal in the 11th minute on assists from Tad Kreamalmeyer and Robby Lynch.

Evansville is ranked #7 in the NSCAA Midwest Region rankings, one spot ahead of Kentucky.  The top six this week are Tulsa, SMU, Creighton, UAB, Drake and Marshall.  In addition to leading the nation in total goals, the Aces are ranked 11th nationally in goals per game, with 2.71.  Senior forward Mike Luttrull, who leads the team in scoring with five goals and two assists for 12 points, ranks ninth in the nation in goals, 11th in points, 27th in goals per game (0.71) and 28th in points per game (1.71).

UK junior forward/midfielder Pierre Manga and Evansville freshman forward Phillip Manga are brothers.  Both have played in all seven of their team’s matches.  Phillip is the only one who has scored so far, with a goal against Alabama A&M and an assist against Belmont for three points.

As part of the Soles4Souls program co-sponsored by Shoe Carnival, all fans attending Sunday’s match who bring a pair of gently worn shoes will receive an Aces Soccer / Shoe Carnival T-shirt.  In addition, the ProRehab Score With The Aces Reading Program kicks off Sunday.  The first 150 boys and girls in attendance will receive an Aces Soccer / ProRehab T-shirt.