TicketsSept. 27, 2006
, - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team won its school-record fifth straight match, defeating rival , 3-0, in front of 812 spectators on Wednesday night at Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats ran their record to 7-3-1 and 4-2-0 in the BIG EAST, while the Cardinals fell to 3-6-1 and 2-4-0 in conference action.
The Bearcats vaulted into first place in the BIG EAST Red Division with the win. UC's 12 points lead and USF, 's next two opponents, each of which have 11 points in league play.
The rivalry match was physical, as it always is between these two sides. The Cardinals opened the match with some offensive pressure, earning a pair of corner kicks in the first five minutes, but UC thwarted the chances and began to force the issue in its offensive end as the half progressed.
In the 40th minute, Noah Davidson put home the game-winner for UC, pounding a feed from Omar Cummings off keeper David Simolike and into the net for his third goal of the season.
The Bearcats took the 1-0 lead into the half after controlling play for the final 30 minutes of the stanza. UC held an 11-4 edge in shots.
UC continued to put pressure on the defense in the early going of the second half. In the 70th minute, Mike Dwyer added the insurance goal for the Bearcats. Cummings, a threat all night with the ball, sent a perfect cross into the box from the left side. Dwyer was defended well, but was able to side volley a right-footed blast past Simolike for his first goal of the year.
With frantically trying to get back into the match, the Bearcats added to their lead in the 73rd minute when Sam Miller found the back of the net. Lionel Jackson started the play with a diagonal ball from his left back position to Cummings just inside the box on the right side. Cummings eluded a defender and sent a low cross through the penalty spot that was finished by Miller, putting the game on ice.
"We've been playing well and certainly have been in a rhythm offensively," head coach Hylton Dayes said. "I want to give credit to our back four and goalkeeper. I thought they played a great match tonight. We never gave good looks at the goal."
The Bearcats have been dominant both offensively and defensively during their winning streak, outscoring opponents 14-3 and posting shutouts in back-to-back matches. The Bearcats have outshot their opponents, 103-48, during the win streak. UC is now 6-0-0 at home this season and has outscored opponents, 16-3, at Gettler Stadium.
Mike Vessells posted his second straight shutout in goal, moving him into a tie for third on the school's career list with 12 career clean sheets. He has four shutouts this season and has not allowed a goal in his last 237:02.
The Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, Cummings has lived up to his hype, notching 12 points in his last six matches. He now has eight assists, which leads the BIG EAST, to go along with his four goals.
The Bearcats will take on No. 23 St. John's at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night in