TicketsOct. 8, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio - In a physical contest that featured more yellow cards than shots on goal, No. 11 Villanova edged Cincinnati, 1-0, in women's soccer action on Sunday afternoon. It was Senior Day for the Bearcats, who honored their nine departing players in a pregame ceremony.
Erin Hardiman scored off a cross from Nikki Mabery just 40 seconds into the second half to provide the margin. VU, which has allowed just two goals all season, improved to 13-0-2 overall and 5-0-2 in the BIG EAST. The Bearcats, who owned a 13-8 edge in shots, fell to 6-5-2 and 2-3-1.
"Our effort was 120 percent," said head coach Meridy Glenn. "We showed up and played awesome. We had some good looks. We really kept our heads in the game, even after all the yellow cards."
Jillian Loyden made just two saves for VU in earning the shutout and Andrea Kaminski made four saves for UC.
The teams combined for just nine shots, two on goal, in the first half, with the only scoring chance coming when the Wildcats' Valerie Grow hit the crossbar.
After the goal, VU packed the defense in, forcing the Bearcats' attackers to go against at least five defenders at all times.
UC reclaimed an advantage in the 65th minute when Kayce Blandford was sent off for VU after earning a second yellow. The Bearcats started putting more pressure on, getting a couple of good looks.
In the 85th minute, the teams were back to even after UC's Gigi Ernst was carded for a second time. The Bearcats kept pushing, getting their final chances with less than three minutes to play when Becky Imhoff hit the crossbar from 30 yards out and the rebound shot by Lindsey Noteboom was blocked.
The Bearcats are on the road for the final two weekends of the season, facing Marquette and USF next Friday and Sunday, respectively.