TicketsBearcats Earn First Spring Win
UC finished third in Ohio Cup
Contact: Jeremy Martin
4/11/2005
Kwame Sarkodie scored the game-winner against Wright State |
CINCINNATI, Ohio - The University of Cincinnati Men?s soccer team finished third in the Ohio Cup on April 9. The Bearcats defeated Wright State, 2-1, in the consolation match of the four-team tournament, held at UC?s Gettler Stadium. Dayton topped Xavier in penalty kicks in the championship.
In the tourney opener, UC and Xavier went to penalty kicks, after playing to a 0-0 tie. Both teams played intense defense, as they combined for only 10 shots. Mike Vessels (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) had the shutout in goal for the Bearcats. In the shootout, each squad saw its first four shooters find the net. Xavier connected on its fifth attempt, and Noah Davidson?s (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville) shot was saved by the Musketeer keeper to preserve the victory for XU.
The next match of the day saw Dayton take on Wright State. Dayton scored midway through the first half, taking a lead it would never relinquish and moving into the championship match vs. Xavier.
In the consolation match, Wright State quickly scored the first goal two minutes into the first half after a scramble in front of Vessells. The Bearcat defense buckled down and held the Raiders scoreless for the rest of the match. Kenny Anaba (Westerville, Ohio/Worthington Christian) found the net in the second half, blasting a shot past the Wright State keeper from 25 yards out to knot the score at 1-1. Just ten minutes later, Kwame Sarkodie (Dayton, Ohio/Carroll) gathered in a free ball just outside the WSU box. With the keeper in no-man?s land, Sarkodie was able to squirt by him and walk the ball into the net for the game winner, giving the Bearcats their first win of the spring.
?We are pleased to get out here and to get our first spring win?, Head Coach Hylton Dayes said. ?It was great to see Kwame (Sarkodie) and Kenny (Anaba) step up and I am encouraged by the fact that our young players are getting quality playing time. Our defense was solid in both games and I think we are certainly making progress with our play this spring.?
The championship match ended in the second shootout of the day. Neither team could muster many scoring opportunities, although Xavier had a few quality chances on which they were unable to capitalize. Each squad converted the first two penalty kicks. Dayton connected on its third attempt and the Flyer keeper punched away the ensuing Xavier kick to give UD the 2005 Ohio Cup Championship.
The Bearcats continue their spring season this Saturday, April 16 playing at Akron. Game time with the Zips is set for 2 p.m.