TicketsSept. 25, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format
STory lines
The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team finishes up a five-game road trip on Friday (Sept. 26) as they take on the DePaul Blue Demons. Each team lost its first BIG EAST Conference match and looks to rebound. The Bearcats return home on Sunday (Sept. 28) to play host to No.1/1 Notre Dame scheduled for a 1 p.m. kick.
The Bearcats are led by first-year head coach Michelle Salmon. Salmon has compiled a 4-4 record in her first season at the helm and her guidance has resulted in a more prolific scoring attack, as the Bearcats have outshot their opponents in all but one match.
Freshman Julie Morrissey (Abington, Mass./Tabor Academy) leads the Bearcats in points this season with eight (3G, 2A). Morrissey tallied the game-winning goals against Xavier and in the season opener against Bowling Green.
Senior midfielder Jenn Johannigman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton) has five points this season (2G, 1A), scoring her first goal since her freshman campaign against Wright State (Aug. 24) and putting away the game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Michigan (Aug. 29). She earned a BIG EAST Honor Roll selection for the week of Sept. 1.
Sophomore Kendall Loggins (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North), despite starting only one match for Cincinnati, is tied for third on the team with five points (2G, 1A). Loggins had a hand in the 3-2 overtime win at Miami (OH) as she put in the game-winner with 29 seconds left in overtime. She also assisted on a goal to Morrissey earlier in the match.
Defenders Kim Sykes (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore), Heather Neiser (Batavia, Ohio/St. Ursula) and Lindsey Noteboom (Hurst, Texas/Birdville) have a combined 163 games started to anchor the back line for Cincinnati. Sykes (61 games) and Neiser (43) have started every match of their UC career and Noteboom (59) has started all but two games.
A QUICK LOOK AT THE blue demons
The Blue Demons are mentored by second year head coach Erin Chastain, who has compiled a 7-20-1 in her DePaul tenure. Senior Shannon Williams is the top returning scorer for DePaul as she compiled 16 points (7G, 2A) during the 2007 season. DePaul was picked eighth in the National division of the BIG EAST preseason poll. This year's leading scorer (through nine games) is sophomore midfielder Tara Strickland with six points (2G, 2A). Both UC and DePaul have played Miami (OH) and each won by a score of 3-2. DePaul is represented by three Cincinnati area products, Brittni Lally (Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy), Casey Mercurio (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy) and Beth Perry (Amelia, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame).
A QUICK LOOK AT THE fighting irish
Notre Dame is led by long-time head coach Randy Waldrum who has a record of 193-29-8 in 10 seasons for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame is led by 2006 Hermann Trophy recipient Kerri Hanks who has tallied 16 points (7G, 2A) this season. The Irish have only allowed two goals through eight games, have only given up 16 shots on goal, and are outscoring their opponents, 26-2 in 2008. Notre Dame has 17 players that have tallied at least one point on the season. Sophomore midfielder Rose Augustin is a former teammate of UC midfielder Kristin May, as each attended Walsh Jesuit High School.
The serieS
Cincinnati has dominated the series against DePaul, posting a 10-1-1 record. The Bearcats won the first nine matches in the series. Last year the Blue Demons won a 2-1 (2OT) decision. Cincinnati is 1-7-1 against Notre Dame. UC's only win came in the second round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament by a 3-2 margin. The Irish have won the last three matches. This is the second time in three seasons that the Irish come to Cincinnati with the No. 1 ranking.