TicketsSept. 1, 2008
Bearcats, Ramblers Play to 0-0 Draw
Squads combine for 32 shots
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team played Loyola Chicago to a 0-0 draw on a hot, sunny Labor Day (Sept. 1) afternoon in Gettler Stadium.
The Bearcats stayed undefeated in 2008, moving to 1-0-1 after a season-opening win at crosstown rival Xavier on Friday, Aug. 29. Loyola, who knocked off No. 5 Santa Clara on Saturday, Aug. 30, in its home opener, moved to 1-0-1.
"You have to applaud both teams today on their effort," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "The heat was unbearable at times and both team competed for 120 minutes."
After a six-goal affair (4-2 Loyola win) in the 2007 season-opener, the Bearcats and Ramblers flexed their defensive muscles in UC's 2008 home opener.
The first half saw both teams with opportunities, but no real threats. UC held a 6-4 lead in shots and was the more physically aggressive team, committing 10 fouls to Loyola's three.
The action started to heat up in the second half, mirroring the 90-degree temperatures on the field.
In the 66th minute, UC central defender Brad Simpson (Novi, Mich./Novi) saved a goal by heading a deflected Michael Ferguson shot off the line after the ball had skipped up and over UC keeper Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus).
Just moments later, junior Paul Hoste (Clinton Township, Mich./De LaSalle) sent a curling service to the far post, just out of the reach of a diving header attempt from freshman Nate Robinson (Novi, Mich./Novi).
The Bearcats' best chance in regulation came in the 73rd minute. Junior Judson McKinney (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) fired a shot high after a textbook buildup along the near sideline. Robinson played a wide ball around his defender and ran onto it along the touchline. He found sophomore Brandon Stelmak (Brecksville, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) at the top of the box, who slid a pass out wide to a streaking Matt Bahner (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West). Bahner's cross found McKinney all alone 20 yards out, but his attempt sailed high.
At the end of regulation, the Bearcats held a 14-11 edge in shots, but the weather and tired legs began to take their toll.
In the first minute of overtime, Loyola's Ferguson served a ball into the box where a wide-open Mark Halma was waiting. Halma's header was deflected over the top by a sprawling Williams, one of his five saves on the day.
Loyola put the pressure on the Bearcats defense in the first overtime, controlling play for the majority of the 10-minute stanza.
In the second overtime, sophomore Nick Weightmann (Lenark, Scotland/Weber Univ.) missed an opportunity to give UC the win. Stelmak made a run to the far side, just into the penalty area and sent a cross into the center, where Weightmann waited after getting behind his defender. His redirect popped up and over the net, producing the final result.
Williams, making his second career start, has yet to allow a goal in 200 minutes this season, making nine saves.
The Bearcats defense, which has yet to allow a goal, bottled up the all-American Ferguson, who torched UC last season with a hat trick in Loyola's 4-2 win. He had three shots on goal, but was harassed all match by Simpson and freshman center back D.J. Albert (Park City, Ill.), who made his first career start.
"Loyola is a very experienced and well-coached team," Dayes said. "I thought our back four played well defensively and Matt Williams came up with some very good saves to keep the clean sheet. Overall, this result is a step in the right direction for us as a team."
The Bearcats will travel to Akron to take part in the Zips' weekend tournament on Sept. 5 and Sept. 7. UC will battle Green Bay on Friday at 5 p.m. and will take on the host Zips on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.