TicketsOct. 15, 2008
Game Notes | |
STORY LINES
The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team steps out of conference play to take on Alabama A&M on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in Gettler Stadium.
UC has played six nationally-ranked opponents and four ranked in the Top 10 this season. The Bearcats are 0-4-2 against ranked teams in 2008.
UC is 0-4-1 at home this season after posting a combined 18-5-2 mark at Gettler Stadium over the last three seasons. In 2007, UC was 7-1-0 at home and outscored opponents, 17-3.
Head coach Hylton Dayes is in his eighth season as the head coach at Cincinnati, holding a 68-60-22 record. He is 164-145-41 overall in his 19th season as a head coach. Dayes needs five wins to pass Jim McDowell for second in UC history for coaching victories.
Captain Brad Simpson (Novi, Mich./Novi) is the lone senior on this year's squad. A three-year starter, Simpson has started 56-of-57 career matches at central defender. He leads the Bearcats with three goals, including the game-winner against Villanova on Oct. 4. He was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Villanova.
Sophomore Branden Stelmak (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) scored the game-winner against Xavier, his first career goal. He is second on the squad with five points (2 G, 1 A).
Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) has posted five shutouts this season and holds a 1.28 goals against average with 48 saves. He ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in saves and is tied for 10th in shutouts.
The Bearcats return only 10 letterwinners from the 2007 team and welcome 17 newcomers (15 true freshmen, two transfers) to the roster. Returnees accounted for just four of UC's 27 goals scored in 2007 and 11 of the team's 35 assists.
UC wraps up a two-match homestand against Rutgers on Oct. 18. Kickoff from Gettler Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
A QUICK LOOK AT THE BULLDOGS
Alabama A&M had an eight-match unbeaten streak snapped with a 4-1 loss at UAB on Oct. 8. The Bulldogs are 7-4-2 and have won at Bradley and at Wright State this season. AAMU played Kentucky, a team that defeated the Bearcats, 4-1, to a 0-0 draw. MfanaFuthi Bhembe leads the nation with 11 goals in 2008. Bhembe has added three assists for 25 points, more than the entire Bearcats team to this point. Eight different Bulldogs have scored goals this season and 12 have recorded at least one point. The goalkeeping combo of Paul Musoke and Boitshoko Pule has posted five shutouts and a combined 1.26 goals against average, making 33 saves. Head coach Salah Yousif is in his 20th year at AAMU, holding a 232-108-22 record with the Bulldogs.
THE SERIES
The Bearcats and Bulldogs have met three times on the pitch, with UC winning each time. The first meeting took place in Huntsville, Ala. in 1985, with the Bearcats coming away with a 1-0 victory during a 12-6-0 season. UC hosted AAMU in 2002, winning 3-1 at Meyers Field. Two seasons later, the Bearcats, ranked No. 15 in the nation, traveled to Huntsville and scored twice in the opening minutes, holding on for a 2-1 win.
RANK AND ROLL
The Bearcats have squared off against six nationally-ranked opponents thus far in 2008. The young team that features 15 freshman and 17 newcomers has posted a 0-4-2 mark against ranked foes. UC played No. 24/rv Loyola Chicago and No. 20/17 Providence to scoreless draws. The losses came against No. 7/5 Akron on the road (2-1), No. 7/4 Connecticut on the road (2-1), No. 3/3 Notre Dame at home (3-0), and No. 8/7 Louisville at home (2-1, ot).
BIG EAST HONORS
Brad Simpson was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 6. In UC's 1-0 win at Villanova on Oct. 4, Simpson netted the game-winning goal and helped preserve the Bearcats' fifth shutout of the season from his central defensive position.