TicketsOct. 21, 2006
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VILLANOVA, Pa. -- The men's soccer team captured the first team BIG EAST Championship in any sport at the University of Cincinnati with a 2-1 double-overtime win at Villanova on Saturday afternoon at the Villanova Soccer Complex. With the win, the Bearcats (11-4-2/7-3-1) secure the No. 1seed out of the Red Division and an automatic bye into the quarterfinals in next week's BIG EAST Tournament.
"It was a tough game, but our guys weren't going to be denied," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "They continued to work and we got the equalizer and then Kenny (Anaba) was able to win it for us."
Leading scorer Kenny Anaba gave UC the come-from-behind win with his seventh goal of the season five minutes into the second overtime period. After a long ball sent in by Kwame Sarkodie, VU goalkeeper John Ward lost his handle on the ball and Anaba was there to put home his fourth game-winner of the season.
The Wildcats (6-10-1/2-9-0) dented the scoreboard first in the 53rd minute, despite being outshot, 12-3, to that point. Joe Taylor sent a perfectly placed shot into the upper corner of the net from 30 yards out, giving VU a 1-0 lead. It was the first goal Villanova had scored since Sept. 30 against DePaul. Vessells has allowed just two goals in his last five matches.
The Bearcats posted the equalizer just 10 minutes later as freshman Kieron Gradwell scored his first career goal on a header after a scramble following a corner kick. Sarkodie and Brad Simpson were credited with assists on the play.
UC finished the match with a dominating 26-9 edge in shots. Vessells made two saves and finished the regular season with a 0.89 goals against average.
The Bearcats have won nine of their last 11 matches (9-1-1), outscoring their opponents, 20-6, during that span. UC is the second Conference defector to win the Red Division title after USF did so last season.
The Bearcats will host the winner of the No. 4 seed out of the Blue Division and the No. seed out of the Red Division on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. in Gettler Stadium in the BIG EAST Quarterfinals. They receive a first-round bye in the conference tournament as the No. 1 seed out of the Red Division.