TicketsSept. 2, 2008
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team fell in a hotly-contested match against Kentucky by the score of 1-0 on Tuesday night at Gettler Stadium. The contest was delayed one hour at the 66th minute due to lightning in the area. It was the first time this season that the Bearcats were held scoreless.
Kentucky's lone goal came in the 20th minute when Laura Novikoff passed the ball to area product Rachel Ulrich (Liberty Township, Ohio/Lakota West) who passed it back to Novikoff inside the Cincinnati box. Her low-line drive shot went just inside the left post and past Cincinnati goalkeeper Andrea Kaminski (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) for the game winner.
Cincinnati outshot the Wildcats by a 16-8 margin and had two great opportunities to post an equalizer. In the 48th minute Kristin May (Hudson, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) attempted a shot off of a free kick just outside the Kentucky box on the near side. May bent a ball inside the near post that was saved by the Wildcat's goalkeeper Sydney Hiance.
In the 88th minute Jenn Johannigman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton) was taken down 20 yards out, setting up a free kick for Melissa Bigg (Limehouse, Ont./Acton). Bigg's shot bounced off the crossbar and was kicked away from danger by the Wildcat defenders.
Despite the setback, UC head coach Michelle Salmon was encouraged by her team's effort. "Tonight our team played lights out and the only thing that was missing were goals on the scoreboard. The desire and passion that our team played with today will prepare us well for BIG EAST play down the road."
With the defeat the Bearcats fall to 2-2-0 on the season, while the Wildcats pick up their first win of the season to stand at 1-1-0. Cincinnati next takes the pitch on Friday (Sept. 5) when they travel to Oxford, Ohio to take on Miami (OH) scheduled for a 5 p.m. start.