TicketsAug. 14, 2009
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team will open training for the 2009 season with its version of Midnight Madness on Saturday (Aug. 15). The team will begin conditioning testing at the stroke of midnight, the first moment of practice time permissible by the NCAA.
The Bearcats will hold their first full workout at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Gettler Stadium in preparation for the first exhibition contest of the season on Aug. 21 against Cincinnati State.
UC head coach Hylton Dayes enters his ninth training camp looking to mold a group of young players - the 2009 roster features just two seniors - into a challenger for the BIG EAST crown. Dayes' teams have earned a berth in the last four BIG EAST Tournaments, qualifying each year since Cincinnati joined the soccer super conference prior to the 2005 season.
The Bearcats return 10 starters, including leading scorer Branden Stelmak (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) and goalkeepers Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) and Miguel Rosales (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill), who have combined for 16 shutouts over the last two seasons.
UC opens regular season play at Dayton on Sept. 1, with the home opener coming days later on Sept. 4 against Canisius. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for youth age 12 and under, and $1 per person for groups of 10 or more. Call 1-877-CATS-TIX for more information.