TicketsAug. 29, 2008
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team held on to defeat non-conference opponent Michigan 2-1 on Friday night at Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats defense held Michigan to only four shots for the match, while imposing their will for much of the contest.
Head coach Michelle Salmon was pleased with the work the defense showed. " I felt defensively we did a great job, Andrea Kaminski (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) came up with a huge save in the second half that really spurred our team on...she came up huge when we needed her to. In the midfield I felt we did a good job, Logan Ballinger (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton) did an awesome job for us coming off the bench. Lindsey Noteboom (Hurst, Texas/Birdville) did an outstanding job for us today; she defended so well and stayed very composed throughout the match."
Cincinnati once again got off to a fast start as Melissa Bigg (Limehouse, Ont. /Acton) found the back of the net off of a free kick from 35 yards away in the 12th minute of play. The goal was the first in the season for Bigg and raised her point total to three for the year. The opportunity was created when forward Erin MacDonald (St. Catharine's, Ont. /West Park Secondary) was taken down by a Wolverine defender, setting up the free kick.
Not long after, Michigan scored the equalizer as Clare Stachel played a ball that deflected off of Kaminski and placed the ball into the net in the 16th minute. Cincinnati quickly answered in the 18th minute as senior Jenn Johannigman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton) bent a ball into the top right corner from 22 yards out that proved to be the game winner. Johannigman played the ball from Chelsea Kindschuh (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota East) in the offensive third and delivered a shot that went past the goalkeeper's outstretched arms.
The win improves the Bearcats record to 2-1-0 while dropping the Wolverines to 0-2-1. Cincinnati next takes the pitch on Tuesday (Sept. 2) to take on the Kentucky. The match marks the last in Cincinnati's four-game home stand to open the season.