TicketsSept. 12, 2007
KICKOFF:
The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team looks for its first win of 2007 when it plays host to crosstown rival Xavier on Sept. 13 at Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats have opened the season at 0-3-0 for the first time since 2004, but will play their first match at home against XU. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
BEARCAT BITES:
UC is attempting to defend its 2006 BIG EAST Red Division Championship, the first BIG EAST team title in school history.
The Bearcats finished 2006 with a 11-6-2 overall record and a 7-3-1 mark in BIG EAST play.
Head coach Hylton Dayes is in his seventh season at UC with a 56-46-18 record with the Bearcats and a 152-131-37 record as a head coach.
UC was picked to finish fourth in the Red Division in the BIG EAST preseason coaches poll.
Senior defender Amir Ikner was named to the Preseason all-BIG EAST team after earning all-BIG EAST second team and NSCAA/adidas all-Great Lakes honors in 2006.
UC's eight-member recruiting class was ranked No. 26 by CollegeSoccerNews.com.
Newcomers Miguel Rosales and Branden Stelmak were named to the CollegeSoccerNews.com Top 100 Freshman to Watch.
LAST TIME OUT:
UC dropped its second straight one-goal match, falling 1-0 to No. 17 New Mexico in the finale of the Nike/TLC Plumbing & Utility Invitational on Sept. 9.
Diego Barrera scored the lone goal of the match in the 30th minute. UNM keeper Mike Graczyk's goal kick found the head of Stephen Brown, who played the ball along to Barrera. Barrera's spinning side volley beat freshman netminder Miguel Rosales for the decisive tally.
Play was suspended for 35 minutes with 8:17 left in the first half due to lightning in the area. Once action resumed, both teams played the rest of the half without a shot.
UC had a chance to draw even in the final minutes, but Kenny Anaba was robbed by Graczyk, sending the Bearcats to their third straight defeat to open the season, all on the road.
The Bearcats were shut out for the first time this season. Rosales made three saves in his second straight start.
UC's Amir Ikner and Chris Thompson were named to the all-tournament team.
SCOUTING THE MUSKETEERS:
Xavier dropped a pair of decisions to BIG EAST teams last weekend, falling 2-1 at Marquette and 2-0 at DePaul. UC is Xavier's third straight BIG EAST road opponent.
XU held a 222:23 shutout streak over the first two matches of the season, but allowed four goals in its last two.
Jimmy Cummings is Xavier's leading goal scorer, having tallied twice thus far this season.
Adam Sokolowski has played every minute in goal, making 15 saves and recording a pair of shutouts.
Dave Schureck is in his third season as head coach at Xavier. The former Dayton head coach is 13-22-7 at Xavier and holds a 70-55-15 overall mark in eight seasons.
SERIES HISTORY:
Cincinnati and Xavier meet for the 36th time.
The Bearcats hold the series edge with a 22-8-5 mark. UC is 12-4-2 against the Musketeers at home.
Last season, UC won 2-1 in overtime on an Omar Cummings goal at Xavier.
FAST START FOR ANABA:
Senior forward Kenny Anaba scored a pair of goals in UC's season opener on Aug. 31. The team's leading goal-scorer each of the last two seasons, Anaba is ascending the career records list at UC. With his two goals in the opener, Anaba is tied for ninth in school history with 18 tallies. He is also tied for ninth with 46 career points (18 G, 10 A).
AUSSIE ON BOARD:
Native Australian Chris Thompson scored his first career goal against UCF after picking up an assist at Loyola-Chicago in UC's season opener. The redshirt freshman midfielder is expected to help fill the offensive void left with the graduation of all-American Omar Cummings and is off to a fast start.
NEXT UP:
The Bearcats head back out on the road for a battle with defending MVC champion Bradley on Sunday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m. CT.