TicketsOct. 27, 2007
CINCINNATI -- The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team snapped a four-game losing streak by defeating Villanova 1-0 in double overtime on Saturday night at Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats (6-9-1, 4-5-1) pulled out the victory when Amir Ikner (Olathe, Kan./Blue Valley West) unloaded the game-winning goal off a grounded cornerkick from Lionel Jackson (Southfield, Mich./Groves) in the 102nd minute of play.
The first half ended in a scoreless tie. Each team managed six shots and UC attempted five corner kicks to Villanova's two, but it was the Bearcats backline that was most impressive, ending several of the Wildcats attacks before they were able to cross into the penalty box.
The end of regulation ended without a goal, sending the game into its first overtime. The Bearcats were aggressive in the last 14 minutes of the second half, outshooting Villanova 3-1. Despite seven shots in the half, UC was unable to put the ball in the net.
After one 10 minute overtime the game remained scoreless, with Villanova taking the lone shot of the period in the last 10 seconds. Just three minutes into the second overtime, UC scored after Jackson drilled a cornerkick on the ground to Ikner who sprinted in and struck the ball past Villanova's goalkeeper Jason Friel, ending the game.
It was Ikner's second goal of the season and Jackson's eighth assist. The two were part of the five seniors honored on UC's Senior Night.
Cincinnati outshot Villanova 14-10 and had an 8-6 advantage on cornerkicks. Cincinnati's goalkeeper Miguel Rosales (Aurora, Colo./Smokey Hill) finished the game with three saves while Friel had one.
The Bearcats return to Gettler Stadium to take on Michigan State in a nonconference game on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. The matchup with the Spartans is the final home game of the 2007 regular season for the Bearcats and will be Fan Appreciation night.