TicketsSept. 18, 2005
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team stayed unbeaten in BIG EAST Conference play with a 1-1 tie against Providence this afternoon at Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats (3-2-1, 2-0-1 BIG EAST) had several opportunities to win the match, but were unable to put away the pesky Friars (2-0-4, 0-0-2).
Cincinnati got on the board first on a Sam Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) goal in the sixth minute. After a corner kick was cleared out of the Providence box, Miller took a feed from Amir Ikner (Olathe, Kan./Blue Valley West) and blasted a shot from 20 yards into the upper left hand corner of the net for his first marker of the season.
The Bearcats took the 1-0 lead into the half, just 45 minutes from starting 3-0-0 in its inaugural BIG EAST season. UC posted seven shots in the first stanza, compared to five for PC. The Bearcats also earned three corners while Providence had two.
In the 56th minute, UC defender Kevin Schrand (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota West) took down Providence forward Eoin Lynch in the box, setting up a penalty kick. Lynch slid his PK inside the right post to knot the match at 1-1.
The Bearcats had several opportunities in the second half and both overtime periods, but UC was unable to finish those opportunities. Providence goalkeeper Chris Kanopka made eight saves, several of which came on point blank chances for UC.
UC finished the match with a 21-19 edge in shots and an 8-6 advantage in corner kicks.
Cincinnati keeper Mike Vessells (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) had a solid match in net, making seven stops and allowing only the penalty shot goal.
Miller became the seventh Bearcat to notch a goal this season. It was the junior's second career tally.
Cincinnati will hit the road for a difficult two-match BIG EAST road swing. The Bearcats will visit Marquette (3-2-1, 0-1-1) on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. UC will then head to South Bend, Ind. for a 1 p.m. kickoff against Notre Dame (4-2-0, 1-1-0) on Sunday, Sept. 25.