Hurricane sports recap

MEN'S SOCCER FALLS TO KENTUCKY, 2-1

Tulsa’s 17th-ranked men’s soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to Kentucky on Wednesday night at the Hurricane Soccer and Track Stadium.  TU fell to 8-5-1 on the season and 2-3-1 in Conference USA, while the Wildcats moved to 6-6-4 overall and 3-1-2 in the league. 

Omar Mata scored his first goal of his career off a cross from Zach Nulisch in the 32nd minute to give Tulsa a 1-0 lead.  After the break Tyler Riggs quickly tied the contest as he punched in goal from inside the box in the 49th minute.

Matt Lodge gave the Wildcats the go-ahead goal in the 75th minute as he drilled in a free kick from just outside the box, and TU couldn’t find the back of the net to fall, 2-1.

Chris Taylor, Austin Neil and Mata each had a team-leading three shot attempts, while Michael Murray logged all 90 minutes in goal and earned three saves.

TU outshot UK, 18-11, including a 7-5 lead in shots on goal.  Tulsa also had a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.

MEN'S GOLF FINISHES SIXTH AT MEMPHIS INTERCOLLEGIATE

Stephen Carney and Chris Worrell tied for 17th as the Tulsa men’s golf team finished sixth at the Memphis Intercollegiate Monday and Tuesday at the par-72 Colonial Country Club.

The Golden Hurricane shot a team-total 897 for the tournament, with a 297 its best team score in the second round. Carney and Worrell each turned in three-round scores of 223, with identical scores of 75, 73 and 75 in the three rounds.

Freshman Johannes Veerman finished just behind his teammates, tied for 20th with a 224, which included a 77 in the first round, a 73 in the second round and a 74 in the third round. Junior Andre Tourinho carded a 228, including a first-round 73, second-round 78, and third-round 77, while freshman John Young Kim totaled a 234, with a first-round 76, a second-round 80, and a third-round 78.

South Alabama won the team and individual titles with a team-total 878, while Jack Hiluta carded a three-round 209 for individual medalist honors.

The TU men’s golf team has completed the fall portion of its schedule, and will next compete Feb. 14-15, at the UTSA Oak Hills Invitational in San Antonio, Texas.

VOLLEYBALL STANDOUT EARNS FIFTH C-USA PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARD

Sophomore Tyler Henderson earned her fifth Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week award after averaging 5.86 kills per set to lead The University of Tulsa volleyball team to road wins at Houston and Rice, the league office announced Monday.

A native of Oklahoma City, Okla., and graduate of Heritage Hall, Henderson also hit .357 over the Golden Hurricane’s two wins over the third- and fourth-place C-USA teams. She totaled 41 kills in the two matches, and averaged 5.93 points per set.

“Tyler just continues to grow as a volleyball player,” Tulsa Head Coach Ed Allen said. “We are very excited about her receiving this honor and pleased with her continued progression toward becoming a more complete player.”

Friday at Houston, Henderson slammed 26 kills and hit .404, adding a block and a pair of digs. Sunday at Rice, she tallied 15 kills, hit .297, and added a block and three digs.

The Golden Hurricane (21-2, 11-0 C-USA) received votes in the AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 Poll for the third straight week, and sits just two spots out of the Top 25. TU returns home this weekend to open a two-week home stand, as it plays host to UTEP Friday at 7 pm., and UCF Sunday at 1 p.m.