TicketsAug. 23, 2008
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Sophomore Chris Mitchell (Ajax, Ontario/SUNY Plattsburg) scored in the 55th minute, but the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision against Michigan on Saturday evening at Mitchell Field. The Bearcats wrap up the exhibition season with a 0-2-0 mark.
"I thought we played well at times and created a number of quality scoring chances in the first half," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "Michigan is a very experienced team and they took advantage of critical mistakes we made in the final third to score their goals."
Michigan got on the board first with a Mauro Fuzetti tally at the five-minute mark of the first half.
Mitchell, who transferred from SUNY Plattsburg after one season, took a feed from freshman Nate Robinson (Novi, Mich./Novi) and beat UM keeper Patrick Sperry for his first goal as a Bearcat, knotting the score at one goal apiece.
Michigan's Steve Bonnell gave the Wolverines the win with a 79th-minute goal off an assist from Cam Cameron.
Michigan outshot the Bearcats, 13-12, and earned eight corner kicks compared to UC's four. Sophomores Miguel Rosales (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) and Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) each played a half in goal, allowing one goal apiece.
"We showed significant improvement over the Butler match and will use the upcoming week to continue to prepare for our season-opener against Xavier," Dayes noted.
UC opens the regular season on Friday, Aug. 29 against crosstown rival Xavier. The Bearcats and Musketeers kick off at 7 p.m. at the XU Soccer Complex.