TicketsOct. 30, 2005
TAMPA, Fla. -- The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team dropped its regular season finale, 2-1, in double overtime, tonight (Oct. 29) against South Florida. The Bearcats finish the season 10-6-2 overall with a 6-3-2 BIG EAST record. The Red Division-champion Bulls end the year with an 11-5-0 mark and 9-2-0 in conference play.
Mike Dwyer (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day) put UC ahead, 1-0, in the 32nd minute with his fourth goal, volleying home a rebound after an Omar Cummings (Old Harbour, Jamaica/Cincinnati State) shot caromed off the crossbar. Dwyer has scored in each of his last two matches after going 13 straight contests without a tally. Cummings was credited with his sixth assist of the season.
USF's Simon Schoendorf and Rodrigo Hidalgo each earned yellow cards in a physical first half. The UC defense held the high-scoring Bulls offense to just two shots in the stanza, recording nine of their own.
The second half was a different story, however.
In the 80th minute, the Bulls got on the board despite the efforts of goalkeeper Mike Vessells (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin). A free kick was driven on goal by Rodrigo Hidalgo. Vessells dove left to make the initial save, but the rebound was headed by Yohance Marshall. The header appeared to be saved again by Vessells, but after a scramble in front of the goal, the ball ended up in the net and tied the score at 1-1.
The score remained tied through the end of regulation. Neither squad was able to find the net in the first overtime period, but in the 102nd minute, Hidalgo netted the game-winner on a 30-yard blast from the center of the field.
USF outshot the Bearcats, 15-14, and held a 6-1 edge in corner kicks. The match featured seven yellow cards, including four for UC. Vessells made six saves in the loss.
Cincinnati ended the season in third place in the BIG EAST Red Division after being tabbed to finish fifth by the league's coaches. UC will host Providence on Nov. 2 in first-round BIG EAST Tournament action. UC tied Providence, 1-1, on Sept. 19 at Gettler Stadium. Kickoff between the Bearcats and Friars will be at 7 p.m.