TicketsSept. 7, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Fifth-year senior Tony Morelli (Holly, Mich./Brother Rice) scored the first two goals of his career, including the game-winner, leading the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team to a 4-3 overtime victory in the BIG EAST opener for both teams. The Bearcats improve to 2-1-0 overall, while Louisville drops to 1-2-0.
UC got off to a quick start, taking a 2-0 lead in the first half on goals by Mike Dwyer (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day) and Noah Davidson (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville North). Dwyer scored for the second time in as many contests at the 20:00 mark to pit Cincinnati to a 1-0 lead. Davidson added to the Bearcat lead with his first career goal in the 38th minute off a feed from freshman Landry Gray (Richmond, Ky./Lexington Catholic).
Some sloppy second-half defense allowed the Cardinals back into the match. In the 54th minute, Gerard Voutier buried a shot past Bearcat keeper Mike Vessells (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) after an assist from Frank Jonke, cutting the UC lead to 2-1.
The Bearcats got that goal right back, however, when Morelli scored his first career goal in style. As teammate Kenny Anaba (Westerville, Ohio/Worthington Christian) raced down the far sideline, Morelli positioned himself in front of the Louisville goal. Anaba lofted a cross into the box and Morelli fired a bicycle kick into the upper left corner of the net to increase the UC lead to 3-1.
Again, the defense lossened and allowed Louisville back into the match. Just 32 seconds after the Morelli goal, a failed clearing attempt allowed Matt Neely to bring the Cardinals to within a goal at 3-2. In the 68th minute, two UC defenders could not contain Ryan Edwards, who beat Vessells to knot the match and set the stage for Morelli's heroics in overtime.
Just over three minutes into the extra period, Morelli gathered in a pass from Sam Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) and blasted a shot from 25 yards out over the outstretched hands of Louisville keeper Charlie Edwards and into the upper left corner of the net to send UC to its 20th win all-time against Louisville. The Bearcats now lead the rivalry series, 20-9-2.
UC has outscored the Cardinals, 9-3, in winning each of the last two matchups between the teams.
The Bearcats became the first athletic team in UC history to play in a BIG EAST contest.
UC will now head to Indianapolis, Ind. on Sept. 11 for a 1 p.m. ET match against Butler.