TicketsMen's Soccer Upsets No. 13 USF
Patrick nets sixth goal of season to lift Bearcats
Contact: Jeremy Martin
10/16/2004
Wiremu Patrick scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season in the upset of No. 13 USF. |
CINCINNATI, Ohio ? The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team upset No. 13 USF, 1-0, tonight (Oct. 16) in front of 348 rowdy spectators, handing the Bulls (7-1-2/3-1-1 C-USA) their first loss of the season and extending UC's (4-7-2/3-2-1 C-USA) unbeaten streak to four straight.
The Bearcats controlled action throughout the first half, outshooting the Bulls, 10-1. UC's Jeff Hughes (Independence, Ky./Western Michigan) had the first scoring opportunity, firing a shot off the left post at the 6:50 mark. The Bearcats again had a scoring chance in the 33rd minute, earning three consecutive corner kicks. Senior John Liersemann (Carrollton, Texas/Trinity Christian) took all three corners, but UC was able to get off only one shot, a header by junior Eric Edwards (Cincinnati, Ohio/Virginia Tech) that was blocked by a USF defender and cleared out of the zone.
USF had its best scoring chance in the 72nd minute when a UC defender took down the Bulls' Simon Schoendorf in the box to set up a penalty kick. Schoendorf's kick sailed wide to the left of the mark and the Bearcats took over from there.
At the 77:51 mark, Hughes had a throw-in travel through the Bull's box and land on the foot of senior Wiremu Patrick (Wellington, New Zealand/Wellington), who fired a shot into the lower left corner past USF keeper Freddy Hall. It was Patrick's team-leading sixth goal of the season and moved him into sole possession of sixth place on the career goals list for UC.
UC goalkeeper Mike Vessells (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) pitched his second shutout of the season and has allowed only two goals during the team's unbeaten streak. He made only three saves, but foiled many USF chances by punching away several corner kicks. Vessells was not the lone reason for the shutout, however, as the UC defense harrassed USF, holding the Bulls to only seven shots.
"The whole back four played well. They rose to the challenge," said UC mentor Hylton Dayes. "They were commited to defending and they won the individual battles."
The Bearcats are next in action on Oct. 20 as they travel to Saint Louis to face the pre-season conference-favorite Billikens at 7 p.m. CT.