TicketsAug. 12, 2009
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The University of Cincinnati was selected to finish eighth in the BIG EAST Conference's Red Division in a vote by the league's coaches.
The Bearcats return 10 starters - including leading scorer Branden Stelmak (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) - from a squad that made its fourth straight appearance in the BIG EAST Tournament and finished with a 7-10-2 overall record in 2008. Last year's team featured 17 newcomers and 15 true freshmen, all of whom gained a year of experience in the Cincinnati system.
The 2009 newcomers are highlighted by a pair of NSCAA/adidas high school all-region honorees in midfielder Ryan Lavigne (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) and defender Zach Patterson (Mason, Ohio/Mason). Junior College all-American forward Tristan Watson (Brampton, Ontario/Lakeland C.C.) joins the roster and will look to add goal-scoring punch.
Notre Dame and St. John's are the coaches' preseason picks to win the Blue and Red Divisions, respectively. Notre Dame's Bright Dike was tabbed as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Joel Gustaffson of St. John's and Zach Johnson of West Virginia were selected as the Preseason Defensive and Goalkeeper of the Year, respectively.
The BIG EAST is the largest and most diverse Division I conference in the country. It was formed in 1979 and represents the athletic interests of 16 member institutions including the University of Cincinnati, University of Connecticut, DePaul University, Georgetown University, University of Louisville, Marquette University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pittsburgh, Providence College, Rutgers University, St. John's University, Seton Hall University, University of South Florida, Syracuse University, Villanova University and West Virginia University. The BIG EAST Conference has captured 26 national championships in six different sports and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series.
The Bearcats open the 2009 season on Aug. 21, with an exhibition contest against Cincinnati State at Gettler Stadium. UC opens regular season play on Sept. 1 at Dayton.