TicketsMen's Soccer Posts Strong Spring
Bearcats finish 3-1-3, prepare for BIG EAST play
Contact: Jeremy Martin
5/11/2005
Kwame Sarkodie led the Bearcats with three goals and three assists in the spring |
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team concluded its spring season with a 3-1-3 record, including wins against Bowling Green, Wright State and crosstown-rival Xavier. The Bearcats hosted two tournaments and played two road contests, including a date at 2004 NCAA-participant Akron. The spring season gave UC a preview of things to come as it enters into its inaugural BIG EAST season in 2005.
After losing its top four scorers from 2004, UC struggled early in the spring to find the back of the net. In the season-opening Bearcat Invitational, the squad posted 0-0 ties with both Northern Kentucky and the USL's Cincinnati Kings. The next weekend, UC was unable to score against Xavier, ending the match in a 0-0 tie. Xavier moved on in the tournament after winning a shootout. In the consolation match, the Bearcats topped Wright State, 2-1, for their first win of the spring. UC then traveled to Akron, falling 3-1 to the defending Mid-American Conference-champion Zips.
Through the first five matches of the spring, the Bearcats had scored just three goals. The offense came alive against Bowling Green, however, dominating the Falcons in a 5-0 victory. After a 6-0 win in the 2004 regular season, UC has now outscored BG, 11-0, in the last two meetings. The Bearcats got another shot at Xavier the following week and posted a 2-1 win when Tony Morelli (Holly, Mich./Brother Rice) scored the game-winner with 10 minutes remaining.
The breakout performances of the spring belonged to Kwame Sarkodie (Dayton, Ohio/Carroll) and Kenny Anaba (Westerville, Ohio/Worthington Christian), who led the Bearcats with three goals apiece. Both busted out against Bowling Green, accounting for three of the five Bearcat goals. Sarkodie assisted on three and scored one of his own, while Anaba scored twice. Mike Dwyer (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day) played well after missing much of the 2004 season with an injury. He scored a goal and added an assist and will be expected to patrol the midfield for the Bearcats during 2005. Captains Matt Hayden (Colorado Springs, Colo./Liberty) and Mike Vessells (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) had solid springs as well. Hayden scored twice and added an assist while Vessells provided outstanding play between the pipes.
"A lot of the goals that we set for the spring, we achieved," stated head coach Hylton Dayes. "We had solid success in terms of results and we are certainly pleased about how things turned out."
The Bearcats open the 2005 season at home with an exhibition contest against Marshall on Aug. 21. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. in Gettler Stadium.