Bearcats Earn Pair of Wins at Kentucky Tournament

Bearcats Earn Pair of Wins at Kentucky TournamentBearcats Earn Pair of Wins at Kentucky Tournament

April 20, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team picked up a pair of 1-0 wins on Saturday (April 18) at the Kentucky Spring Tournament. UC defeated Memphis and Rio Grande to stay unbeaten on the spring season at 4-0-4.

In the opener, UC played a dominant first half, but was unable to turn its possession into a goal until the final minutes of the half. The Bearcats earned a free kick from 25 yards out, and Judson McKinney (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) hammered a shot past the Memphis keeper for a 1-0 lead. The defense battled in the second half as Memphis continued to push, looking for the equalizer. Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) - in relief of Joey Barnard (McKinney, Texas/McKinney), who kept the sheet clean in the first half - made a huge save late in the match, deflecting a volley right in front and preserving the shutout.

In the nightcap, the Bearcats started slowly, but settled and began to build the attack through the midfield. Similar to the Memphis match, the Bearcats saw chances go by without being able to put a goal on the board. But again, UC scored on a restart toward the end of the half to take a 1-0 lead. Mark Konitsch (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence Senior) hit a bending, left-footed free kick from the right flank that brought the keeper off his line. With UC runners crashing through the box, the keeper was unable to get his hands on the shot and Konitsch celebrated UC's one-goal lead. Miguel Rosales (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) and Peter Steve (Dallas, Pa./Dallas Senior) combined for UC's seventh shutout in eight spring matches.

The Bearcats will close out the spring season on Saturday, April 25, in the annual Blue Chip Showcase. UC will take on Ohio State at 7:30 p.m. in Gettler Stadium as part of Bearcats Pride Day on campus.