TicketsAug. 25, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Senior Kate Norton (Rector, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) scored the game-winner on a free kick in the 24th minute, leading the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team to a 1-0 season-opening win against Kentucky tonight (Aug. 25) at Gettler Stadium.
An infusion of youth and steady upperclassman play led the Bearcats to their first season-opening win since 2003. Norton bent a free kick from just outside the 18 to the far post, beating keeper Anne Ogundele for her third career goal.
"I wanted to go far post and, fortunately, I got it past her," said Norton. "We got the shutout and outshot them. This is a great way to start out the season."
Freshmen Heather Neiser (Batavia, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy), Melissa Bigg (Limehouse, Ont./Acton) and Andrea Kaminski (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) made their first career starts for UC, with Kaminski earning the win in goal, making five saves in posting the clean sheet.
"We were able to penetrate and get some good looks," head coach Meridy Glenn said of the team's offensive performance. "We wanted to make their goalkeeper work and we really made her work hard tonight."
The Bearcats contolled possession for most of the first half, stringing together passes and creating dangerous chances within their offensive third. Freshman Erin MacDonald (St. Catharine's, Ont./West Park Secondary) was all over the place in her first collegiate appearance, teaming with Bigg and sophomore Lindsey Noteboom (Hurst, Texas/Birdville) to break down the defense on a consistent basis.
The Bearcats will welcome Purdue to Gettler Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 29, as part of a doubleheader with the men's team. Kickoff is slated for 7:30. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Season tickets and Olympic Sports Passes are available now by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or logging on to GoBEARCATS.com.