TicketsAug. 21, 2005
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team opened its exhibition season with a 2-0 win against Marshall University today at Gettler Stadium. Junior transfer Omar Cummings (Old Harbour, Jamaica/Cincinnati State) had a brilliant debut, tallying both Bearcat goals.
Cincinnati opened up the first of three 30 minute periods with a flurry of shots against the Thundering Herd. The aggressive play resulted in Cummings' first goal of the match in the eighth minute. He took in a pass from senior Tony Morelli (Holly, Mich./Brother Rice) and raced past his defender before firing a shot underneath the arm of Marshall keeper Gregory Terhune and into the lower left corner of the net.
The Bearcats kept the offensive pressure on all afternoon, racking up 20 shots. The UC defense also played well, thwarting many Marshall chances in the midfield and allowing just 10 shots. Junior Mike Vessells (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) played the first 60 minutes of the shutout in net for UC, making one save. Sophomore John-Michael Boggs (Lexington, Ky./Paul Laurence Dunbar) saw the final 30 minutes of action in goal, making four saves, several on point blank opportunities for the Herd.
In the 59th minute, Cummings hauled in a long pass from Kwame Sarkodie (Dayton, Ohio/Carroll) and raced into the box. After his initial shot attempt was blocked by a defender, Cummings gathered in the loose ball and lofted a shot over the keeper's outstretched hands to put UC ahead, 2-0.
"Omar (Cummings) was a difference maker in this game, obviously," head coach Hylton Dayes commented. "The backline played well as well. Certainly, I think we passed the first test."
The Bearcats will head to Columbus, Ohio for their next exhibition match. UC will take on Ohio State at Columbus Crew Stadium on Fri., Aug. 26. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.