TicketsSept. 6, 2009
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team won its third straight match to open the season, dropping Wright State, 2-0, on Sunday evening (Sept. 6) at Gettler Stadium.
Judson McKinney (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) scored just 2:09 into the match and Miguel Rosales (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) posted his second straight shutout to lead the Bearcats (3-0-0).
UC starts the season 3-0-0 for the first time since 1998, when the Bearcats finished 11-5-3 and made its first NCAA Tournament appearance
"Today's match was definitely not an easy game. Wright State came out very organized in the first half and the rhythm of the game was more in their favor," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "Getting the first goal definitely played to our advantage. Being the third game in five days, our guys' legs are a bit heavy and we were pleased to get the win."
After scoring 10 goals in the first 180 minutes of action this season, UC didn't waste much time getting on the board against the Raiders (1-1-0). McKinney took a service from captain Luke Henke (Wauwatosa, Wis./Milwaukee Lutheran) and struck a side volley past WSU keeper Matt Koewler for his first goal of the season.
The Bearcats dominated the first half, outshooting Wright State, 11-0, and winning five corner kicks.
Junior midfielder Mark Konitsch (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence Senior) gave the Bearcats a 2-0 lead in the 59th minute. A give-and-go with Branden Stelmak (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) got Konitsch the ball 30 yards out on the left side. He hit a rocket into the upper right corner for his first of the year and second career tally.
The UC defense sealed the deal, holding Wright State to just three second-half shots and no real scoring threats.
UC has scored 12 goals in the first three matches of the season after tallying just 13 scores in 19 matches in 2008.
After three matches in five days, UC will now take a five day break before hosting the inaugural adidas Bearcat Classic on Sept. 11 and Sept. 13. The Bearcats will take on Western Illinois on Friday at 7:30 p.m. before playing host to No. 3 Akron on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.