TicketsAug. 31, 2007
CINCINNATI -- University of Cincinnati head women's soccer coach Meridy Glenn opened her 25th season on the Bearcats sidelines with an emotional, 2-1 double-overtime victory against crosstown rival Xavier to earn the 250th win of her career.
At halftime, UC honored alum Vanessa Antrobus Quinn, who played under Glenn from 1996-99 and was a victim of the Trolley Square Shopping Mall shootings in February. Glenn left the pitch at the half as the ceremony started and fought back tears as she talked to her team in the locker room.
"I am just glad that we could win this one for Vanessa," Glenn said. "This was a great night for her family and all the alumni that were here."
Glenn is 16th in wins all-time among Division I women's soccer coaches and holds a 250-174-37 overall mark in her 25th year.
"It was awesome," said senior defender Gigi Ernst (Plain City, OH/Bishop Watterson), the longest-tenured Bearcat. "I am really proud to be a part of such a great accomplishment for (Glenn). It was a great atmosphere and it was great to get this win for her on our home field and on opening night against Xavier."
Junior Lindsey Noteboom (Hurst, TX/Birdville) was the hero for the Bearcats, scoring in the 109th minute. After a Heather Neiser (Batavia, OH/St. Ursula) throw-in, the ball was flicked toward goal by late sub Vanessa Hardin (Westerville, OH/Westerville Central). Erin MacDonald (St. Catharine's, Ontario/West Park Secondary) volleyed a shot from inside the six-yard box that was saved by Xavier keeper Kelly Farrell. The rebound bounced in front and Noteboom poked home the winner, setting off a jubilant celebration on the UC sideline that saw Glenn get doused with Gatorade.
"This was a great come-from-behind win for our girls," Glenn stated. "We kept working and kept our focus and I give the kids a lot of credit for putting pressure on and finally scoring the game-winner."
The first half saw fluid play from both sides, but few real scoring opportunities. In the second half, play opened up and Xavier struck first. In the 77th minute, Xavier's Brittany Green played a free kick into the box. The ball found its way to an open Jillian Chuck just outside the box on the right side. Chuck set herself and lofted a perfect shot to the far post just out of the reach of a leaping Andrea Kaminski (Noblesville, IN/Noblesville).
With time running out, a Bearcat freshman leveled the match. In the 89th minute Logan Ballinger (Cincinnati, OH/Seton) gathered in a loose ball just inside the area and drilled a left-footed rocket to the far post to knot the score at one apiece.
Kaminski, who started all 18 matches as a freshman in 2006, made seven saves while XU's Farrell made six.
UC welcomes Miami (OH) to Gettler Stadium on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 2). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Tickets are just $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under and $1 each for groups of 10 or more. Log on to CATSTIX.com for more information.