TicketsUC Opens Gettler Against Wildcats, Purple Aces
Bearcats looking for first win after 0-3 start
Contact: Jeremy Martin
9/9/2004
Senior Renee Balconi |
The University of Cincinnati women?s soccer team will play its first game at newly renovated Gettler Stadium Friday, Sept. 10 when Kentucky visits for a 7 PM contest. The Bearcats will then welcome Evansville on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 PM.
ABOUT THE BEARCATS: UC comes into this weekend?s matches with an 0-3-0 record, the worst start in 24 years of Bearcat women?s soccer.
The Bearcats are coming off a rebuilding campaign in 2003 that saw them finish with a disappointing 5-13-1 mark, after being tabbed to win Conference USA in a preseason poll of league coaches. UC mentor Meridy Glenn welcomes back six starters among 13 letterwinners from that team, including C-USA All-Freshman Team member Becky Imhoff.
ABOUT THE WILDCATS: The Kentucky Wildcats travel to Cincinnati with a record of 0-4-0 after falling 5-1 at Michigan State on Sept. 5.
The Wildcats have been outscored 13-5 this season and have been outshot 72-47. Forward Elisabeth Jones leads Kentucky in scoring, notching one goal and two assists for a total of four points.
Head coach Warren Lipka (South Carolina, ?86) is in his 13th season with Kentucky. He is the only women?s soccer coach in UK history, pioneering the team?s ascent from club squad to NCAA competition. He currently holds a 122-81-10 record.
UC-UK SERIES: The Bearcats and Wildcats have played ten times with each school coming away with five victories. The Bearcats defeated Kentucky, 1-0, the last time the two met in the first round of the 2002 NCAA Tournament.
ABOUT THE PURPLE ACES: The University of Evansville Purple Aces make the trip to UC on Sunday, Sept. 12 following a match with Louisville on Sept. 10. The Aces hold an 0-4-0 record heading into the Louisville match.
Evansville is led by defender Sarah Groves and midfielder Lindsey Ralph, who have each netted one goal and one assist. The Purple Aces have been outscored 11-3 in four matches and have been shutout three times.
Evansville head coach Ron Raab (William & Mary ?89) is in his third season at the helm of the Aces. He holds a 9-30-3 record with Evansville.
UC-EVANSVILLE SERIES: The Bearcats and Aces each won three contests while playing to two ties in the eight-game all-time series. The Bearcats defeated Evansville, 2-1, in double overtime the lasttime the two teams met, in 2001.
GLENN NUMBER 10: Head coach Meridy Glenn currently ranks 10th in overall victories as a Division I head coach with 235. Her .613 (235-143-28) winning percentage in 21 seasons ranks 32nd all-time amongst Division I mentors.
OPENING GETTLER: UC will play its first contest in the newly renovated Gettler Stadium on Friday, Sept. 10 against Kentucky. The stadium, part of the Richard E. Lindner Varsity Village, features an official size soccer field with FieldTurf Pro playing surface, permanent grandstands with seating for 1,400 patrons, concession stands and restrooms, a pressbox, scoreboard with message center, and lights.
The UC Board of Trustees approved the naming of the facility in recognition of the $1 million gift given by Ben and Dee Gettler to Varsity Village.
C-USA POLL: The Bearcats have been picked to finish seventh in a preseason poll of Conference USA?s coaches. UAB, the 2003 regular season champions, has been selected to repeat, followed by Saint Louis, DePaul and Marquette.
UP NEXT: The Bearcats play crosstown rival Xavier University on Sept. 16 at 7 PM at the Xavier Soccer Complex.