TicketsAug. 25, 2009
CINCINNATI - Alex Fernandes (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) scored a pair of goals to lead the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team to a 5-1 win over Cincinnati State in its final exhibition contest on Tuesday (Aug. 25) in Gettler Stadium. UC wrapped up the exhibition slate with a 1-1-0 mark.
"I was pleased with the overall effort tonight," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "We're working hard after we had a tough run against Ohio State. Our focus is now on preparing for Dayton and our regular-season schedule."
Mark Konitsch (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence Senior) opened the scoring for the Bearcats, putting home a cross from Tristan Watson (Brampton, Ontario/Lakeland C.C.) in the eighth minute.
Cincinnati State, which recorded just one shot in the first half, leveled the score just 20 seconds after the Konitsch strike. A Surge service glanced of the head of a UC defender and over Bearcats goalkeeper Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) for an own goal and a 1-1 score.
Chris Mitchell (Pickering, Ontario/SUNY Plattsburgh) gave the Bearcats the lead for good in the 13th minute, and Fernandes' first goal put UC up, 3-1, six minutes later. Fernandes and Watson played give-and-go and the sophomore midfielder struck a dipping 25-yard rocket that beat Surge keeper Austin Morgan.
Williams played the first 45 minutes in goal and was not forced to make a save. The Bearcats out shot the Surge, 12-1, in the stanza.
Fernandes opened the second half with his second goal of the match in the 52nd minute. Nick Weightman (Lanark, Scotland/Webber International), who was dangerous all night, finally got on the scoreboard when he finished off a Matt Bahner (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) cross in the 71st minute.
Miguel Rosales (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) played the final 45 minutes in goal and faced just two shots.
The Bearcats open the 2009 regular season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Dayton. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from Baujan Field.