Oct. 7, 2008
CINCINNATI - Freshman D.J. Albert (Park City, Ill./College of Lake County) scored his first college goal in the 86th minute to send the match to overtime, but the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team fell to No. 8/7 Louisville, 2-1, in extra time on Tuesday (Oct. 7) in Gettler Stadium.
The Bearcats' fourth match against a Top 10 team in 2008 produced the same result as the last three, sending UC to 3-6-2 overall on the season and 1-4-1 in BIG EAST play. Louisville won its third straight and moved to 9-1-2 and 4-1-1 in conference action.
The Bearcats controlled the run of play throughout the first half, creating several quality chances and playing almost exclusively in the Louisville end of the field. UC got off six shots to Louisville's three, but neither team was able to crack into the scoring column.
The Bearcats opened the second half with the same tenacity with which they closed the first, creating chances and holding posession, but it was Louisville who scored first on a corner kick in the 65th minute.
Aaron Clapham sent his corner kick in from the far side and found the head of Freddie Braun, who snuck his deflection into the upper corner at the far post for a 1-0 U of L lead.
UC put the pressure on, but the Cardinals continued to counter attack and nearly put the match away in the 78th minute when Braun broke free in front of the UC goal. His first shot was blocked, but the ball caromed right back to his feet and his follow drive hit the crossbar and was cleared away by the UC defense. In the 82nd minute, Colin Rolfe received a through ball on a counter attack and had a wide open look at goal, but his shot sailed high.
With new life, the Bearcats capitalized, knotting the match at the 85:13 mark. Albert took a feed from fellow freshman Matthew Bahner (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) and drove a right-footed shot to the far post, beating UL's Andre Boudreaux for his first career goal.
UC carried the momentum into overtime and looked primed to get the win. But, as has often been the case this season with a young team, one breakdown cost the Bearcats dearly. Louisville countered a UC attack with just under three minutes to play in the first overtime period and Bryan Kanu scored the game-winner to send U of L to its second straight win against UC.
"I thought our guys competed well and gave a great effort tonight," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "We fought back from a goal down and I felt like we carried play in overtime. We had a breakdown in the back and Lousiville took advantage of that."
The Bearcats will travel to Chicago to take on the reigning BIG EAST Red Division champion, DePaul, on Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff from DPU's Wish Field is set for 2 p.m. ET.