TicketsSept. 30, 2009
CINCINNATI - Sophomore Matt Bahner (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) scored on a header in the 93rd minute to lead the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team to a 2-1 overtime win against crosstown rival Xavier on Wednesday night (Sept. 30) in Gettler Stadium.
"Xavier is our biggest rival and it's always a tough match regardless of the records. We really got going offensively after Xavier scored their goal. We created a number of quality scoring chances but their goalkeeper made some great saves," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "We kept telling our guys to keep the pressure on Xavier and the goal will come. Juddy (Judson McKinney) scored a great goal to put the match into overtime. At that point we had the momentum and Matt scored the match winner for us. Give credit to Xavier, they made it difficult for us tonight."
The Bearcats (7-3-0) outshot the Musketeers, 28-6, and had plenty of chances, but fell behind early in the second half after a scoreless first half. In the 54th minute, Xavier's Andy Dimbi sent a corner kick into the box, where it met the head of Luke Spencer and beat UC goalkeeper Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) for a 1-0 lead.
The Bearcats pushed forward and pressured the Xavier defense that packed the defensive third and tried to hold the lead for the final 36 minutes. It worked for 33 minutes.
Senior Judson McKinney (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy), wearing the captain's armband, scored with 3:47 to play to knot it at 1-1. After taking a drop pass from Branden Stelmak (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights), McKinney blasted a low drive from 25 yards out that beat Xavier goalkeeper Andre Bezerra.
UC didn't take its foot off the pedal as the match moved to overtime. Three minutes into extra time, Mark Konitsch (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence Senior) carried the ball into the Xavier zone and into the near corner. He sent a perfect cross into the box where Bahner's diving header - his first goal of the season - provided the winning tally.
UC has now five straight against Xavier (1-5-1) and is 25-8-5 all-time against the Musketeers and 7-1-1 under Dayes. UC's senior class is undefeated against the crosstown rivals (4-0-0).
Konitsch has a point in three of the last four contests. McKinney's goal was his second of the season and the third of his career.
UC controlled play, posting 28 shots and 12 corner kicks, both season highs.
UC heads to Tampa, Fla., for a match-up with BIG EAST rival No. 6/7 USF on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.