TicketsOct. 2, 2006
, -- sophomore defender Brad Simpson has been named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week after leading the Bearcats (8-3-1/5-2-0) to a pair of men's soccer conference victories last week, running their winning streak to six.
Simpson helped the Bearcats to their second straight shutout, a 3-0 home win against rival , on Wednesday, Sept. 27. The center back led a UC defense that held All-BIG EAST midfielder David Guzman and striker Frank Jonke to a combined two shots in the shutout victory.
Four days later, Simpson helped the Bearcats to a come-from-behind, 2-1 triumph against No. 17 St. John's at Belson Stadium. The defender assisted on Kenny Anaba's game-winning goal late in the match.
Simpson has started all 12 matches in the back this season and has recorded his first two career assists.
UC forward Omar Cummings and goalkeeper Mike Vessells each earned spots on the BIG EAST Honor Roll. Cummings posted a goal and four assists in the pair of victories, while Vessells allowed just one goal while making eight saves. Cummings, the BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, leads the conference with nine assists and has scored five goals thus far. Vessells has allowed just three goals during the six-match winning streak, lowering his goals against average to 1.12.
The Bearcats, who sit in first place in the BIG EAST's Red Division, return home to take on second-place USF on Saturday, Oct. 7. The Bearcats and Bulls will kick off at 7 p.m. at Gettler Stadium as part of the Bearcats Sports Festival next weekend. Fans will be admitted to the soccer match for $1 per person with a ticket stub from the UC-Akron football game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. at Nippert Stadium.