TicketsOct. 1, 2005
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The No. 15 University of Cincinnati men's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to six matches with a 1-1 tie against BIG EAST foe Rutgers tonight at Yurcak Field. Cincinnati (6-2-2, 4-0-2) remains in first place in the BIG EAST's Red Division with 14 points. The Scarlet Knights move to 2-6-2 overall and 1-3-1 in conference play.
The two squads played a scoreless first half, with Rutgers owning a 6-5 edge in shots. The Scarlet Knights were able to crack the scoreboard first, finding the net in the 52nd minute. Bart Koffeman dropped a pass to Nick LaBrocca who drove a shot into the upper right corner from 18 yards out, giving Rutgers a 1-0 lead.
The Bearcats answered quickly, as Kenny Anaba (Westerville, Ohio/Worthington Christian) netted the equalizer just two minutes later after picking up a loose ball in the box and beating RU goalkeeper Lubos Ancin into the upper right corner of the goal. It was Anaba's third goal in as many matches and his fourth of the season, tying for the team lead with Omar Cummings (Old Harbour, Jamaica/Cincinnati State).
The teams alternated scoring opportunities throughout the second half, but the half ended with the score deadlocked at 1-1. After an uneventful first overtime session, UC had two corner kicks in the 107th minute during the second OT period. The Bearcats were unable to convert either opportunity and would settle for the tie on the road.
Goalkeeper Mike Vessells (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) continued his stellar play, making five saves. He has allowed just three goals in his last six matches, posting a 0.47goals against average.
UC's 4-0-2 BIG EAST record marks the first time in the history of the program that the Bearcats have been undefeated through the first six conference matches.
Cincinnati will step out of conference play for a mid-week matchup at Alabama A&M on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Kickoff between the Bearcats and Bulldogs is set for 2 p.m. CT from Huntsville, Ala.