TicketsAug. 28, 2009
The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team will open its 2009 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Dayton. The Bearcats and Flyers will kick off at 7 p.m. from Baujan Field. UC wrapped up its exhibition slate with a 5-1 win against Cincinnati State on Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Gettler Stadium.
The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team will look to return to the top of the BIG EAST Conference in 2009 after the young Bearcats, who featured just one senior, battled to a 7-10-2 overall record and sixth-place conference finish in 2008. UC broke in 17 newcomers a season ago, and the youthful Bearcats squad returns 10 starters and 14 letterwinners. With UC's first win of the 2009 season, head coach Hylton Dayes will move into sole possession of second place on the school's all-time wins list. He is currently tied with Jim McDowell with 72 wins each.
FORWARDS
UC returns its top scorer from 2008 in junior Branden Stelmak. As a first-year starter last season, the Cleveland native scored four goals and added an assist to lead the Bearcats. His tenacity hard work make him a tough matchup for defenders. Nick Weightman returns and transitions to a forward role from his attacking midfield position. Weightman, a junior who transferred from Weber International (Fla.), scored a goal and added an assist in his first season as a Bearcat in 2008. He is talented with the ball and dangerous with every touch. Also moving into the forward rotation will be sophomore Francesco Furio, who started all 19 matches at central defender in 2008. Furio's versatility will afford the Bearcats more depth up front, while providing insurance for the defensive third. A junior college transfer, Tristan Watson joins the mix after spending the last two seasons at Lakeland Community College. His blend of size (6-5) and speed make him a prototypical target forward in the Bearcats offensive attack.
MIDFIELD
The midfield numbers will be determined throughout the preseason, with a four or five-man midfield being possibilities. The team has returned all four starting midfielders from 2008, including center mid Judson McKinney, one of two 2009 captains. Sophomore Matthew Bahner will return to his wide midfield role after scoring one goal and adding two assits during the 2008 season. Mark Konitsch, a junior who started 12 games last season, will join Bahner in wide midfield. Sophomore D.J. Albert returns to the central midfield after a solid freshman campaign in which he made 12 starts and scored a goal before injury cost him the remainder of the season. Newcomers Dan Cooperider and Ryan Lavigne will push for playing time in the defensive midfield positions. Darren Weber, who redshirted as a freshman due to injury, could figure into the mix in a wide role after making strides in the spring. Freshman Peter Jannelli, will compete for a job on the outside, while redshirt freshman Jabari Shaw will add depth to the wide position. Freshman Christian Myton will provide speed and physical skill to the wide role and could possibly see time at forward.
DEFENDERS
The Defense has a void to fill with the loss of Brad Simpson, a four-year starter and 2008 all-BIG EAST selection. The central defender roles will be different from 2008 with senior captain Luke Henke and redshirt freshman Kit North looking to start. Henke and North saw playing time together in the spring and seemed to jell. Sophomore Will Davis returns as a candidate for central defefender after seeing action in 13 games in 2008. Redshirt freshman Kashmar Briscoe, returning from injury, could see action as a central defender. Junior Chris Mitchell returns for his second year, after starting 18 matches at right back in 2008. Sophmore Sam Klosterman should impact the left side defense as well as adding to the midfield. Newcomer Zach Patterson could see action in a wide role, though he has the versatility to play anywhere in the back.
GOALKEEPERS
The goalkeeper job will be a heated battle throughout the preseason, with redshirt junior Matt Williams, the starter in 2008, and redshirt sophomore Miguel Rosales, the 2007 starter, returning. Williams posted nine shutouts and a 1.18 goals against average during 2008. Rosales' 2007 season featured seven shutouts and a 0.81 goals against average. A pair of redshirt freshman round out the goalkeeping selection. Peter Steve and Joey Barnard will compete for time after posting solid spring seasons.
SCHEDULE
The Bearcats schedule is favorable for a young team, as UC will host 11 matches in the comforts of Gettler Stadium. Highlights of the home slate include the inagural adidas Bearcats Classic, which features Akron and Western Illinois, non-conference matches against Michigan and crosstown rival Xavier, and BIG EAST tilts against St. John's and West Virginia. The season opener comes on the road at Dayton, with conference matches looming against Louisville, Notre Dame, USF, and Rutgers.