TicketsSept. 1, 2006
OXFORD, Ohio - Becky Imhoff's goal in the 77th minute lifted Cincinnati to a 2-1 win over Miami (Ohio) in women's soccer action on Friday night at the Miami Soccer Field.
Imhoff took a pass from Kristin May at the top left of the penalty area and she chipped the ball into the top of the net for the gamewinner. UC remains undefeated with the win, improving to 2-0-1. MU falls to 1-2-0.
"Becky played like a woman possessed," said head coach Meridy Glenn. "She was really connecting things for us and winning balls. She brings it every game and understands that that's what you have to do."
The Bearcats controlled play for most of the match, owning a 20-10 edge in shots and putting half those shots on net. Freshman Andrea Kaminski made five saves to earn the win, despite allowing the first goal of her career.
Kaminski, the reigning BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week, preserved the lead with a diving one-handed save off a Jennifer Rush header with under six minutes to play.
"(That) save was just brilliant," said Glenn, "it really lifted the team."
The teams battled in the midfield for the first five minutes of the match as neither team gained an advantage. The Bearcats then put the pressure on, resulting in a number if scoring chances.
MU's leading scorer Kathleen Vistica got behind the Bearcats defense for an open shot in the 16th minute, but she did not hit her shot solidly and Kaminski made the save. UC immediately countered and May took a long pass and carried the ball just outside the RedHawks box and drove a left-footed shot into the left corner of the net for the 1-0 lead with 29:29 left in the half.
MU equalized the score 12 minutes later as Jodi Zwingelberg blocked a clearing attempt by the UC defense and was able to get a point-blank shot past Kaminski. It was the first goal allowed by the Bearcats this year.
The teams went into the half tied at 1-1 despite a 13-4 edge in shots for UC. Kaminski made three saves, while MU's Shannon Chew made seven. May and Imhoff each had three shots in the half for the Bearcats.
MU came out aggressive to start the second half and UC withstood several scoring chances in the first five minutes. Vistica out a shot over the crossbar just two minutes in and Ashley Roush blocked a shot inside five yards.
The teams traded scoring chances for the next 15 minutes until the Imhoff broke tie.
The Bearcats face crosstown rival Xavier on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Xavier Soccer Complex.