TicketsOct. 11, 2006
ROCHESTER, Mich. -- Kenny Anaba scored in the 96th minute, sending the No. 14 University of Cincinnati men's soccer team to a 1-0 overtime win over on a sloppy, wet afternoon at the OU Soccer Field. The Bearcats (9-3-2, 5-2-1 BIG EAST) extended their school-record unbeaten streak to eight matches and exacted a measure of revenge after falling to the Golden Grizzlies, 2-1, last season at Gettler Stadium.
Oakland (5-9-0, 2-2-0 Mid-Con), winners of two in a row and three of four coming into the match, including a 2-1 win over Michigan State last week, gave the Bearcats all they could handle in a driving rain. UC controlled play for the entire match, outshooting the Golden Grizzlies, 17-5 and held a 9-3 edge in corner kicks.
Five minutes into the overtime period, a misplay on the part of the defense allowed Anaba to slide home his fourth game-winner of the season. As an OU defender turned to play the ball back to goalkeeper Steve Clark, Anaba read the play and made a break for the ball. Pulling off his line, Anaba got to the ball first, cut back to the middle of the field, leaving the goalkeeper helpless on the muddy pitch, and tapped in his team-leading sixth goal of the year.
"This was a hard fought win over a team that was difficult to break down," head coach Hylton Dayes said. "The conditions made it difficult, but we're obviously pleased to get the result that we did."
made nine saves as the Bearcats put 11 of their 17 shots on frame. UC keeper Mike Vessells did not need to record a save in notching his sixth shutout this season and the 14th clean sheet of his career, which moves him one closer to second in history. He has lowered his goals against average to 0.95 by allowing just three goals in his last eight matches (0.37 GAA).
The win marked the 150th victory for Dayes as a head coach. The 18th-year mentor is 150-125-37 during his career.
First-place UC will return home to take on second-place in a key BIG EAST match. The Bearcats' final regular-season home match is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Gettler Stadium. Seniors Omar Cummings, Mike Dwyer, Sam Miller, Kwame Sarkodie, Kidus Tadele, and Vessells will be honored prior to the match.