TicketsOct. 10, 2009
CINCINNATI - Mark Konitsch (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence Senior) and Matt Bahner (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) scored and the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team got a much-needed win against BIG EAST foe Villanova, 2-1 on Saturday night (Oct. 10) in Gettler Stadium.
The Bearcats (8-5-0, 3-4-0 BIG EAST) have never lost to Villanova (6-5-2, 3-3-1), moving to 5-0-0 all time. UC's eight wins are one more than last year's total (7-10-2).
"This was a typical BIG EAST match: hard fought and physical," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "Our guys battled and got the win against a good Villanova team."
In a physical contest that featured a total of 34 fouls and seven cards, the Bearcats got on the scoreboard first. Konitsch intercepted a Villanova pass in its defensive third and blasted a shot past VU keeper Chris Bresnahan for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.
UC held a 7-5 advantage in shots in the first half and played aggressively throughout the first 45 minutes.
"We got off to a fast start and played pretty well in the first half," Dayes continued. "Getting the first goal is always crucial and Mark made a great play to score early for us."
The Bearcats kept the pressure on in the second half and seemed to have the match under control when Villanova's Adam Amann was issued his second yellow card of the day and sent off in the 55th minute.
Surprisingly, the Wildcats seemed to play better a man down and began to push for the equalizer.
UC went up 2-0 in the 78th minute after a Villanova foul gave the Bearcats a free kick from 35 yards out on the near side. Nick Weightman (Lanark, Scotland/Webber International) sent a bending free kick into the VU box, where Bahner flicked a header past Bresnahan for his third goal of the season and third in four matches. Weightman earned his team-leading fifth assist on the play.
The Wildcats would not go away, however, as Anthony Griffith tallied in the 84th minute after a strange sequence in the UC goal box. The ball was played in amongst several Bearcats defenders and a pass appeared to strike Griffith on the lower arm. Several UC players, anticipating the hand ball call, pulled up, and Griffith played on, tapping the ball into the goal. After the officials conferred, the goal was allowed and Villanova was back in the match.
UC settled in defensively, playing with a man advantage, and sealed the victory.
"We really had to stay focused and manage the game well after the red card, because Villanova stepped up their intensity being down a man and a goal," said Dayes. "I was proud of the way the guys bounced back after back-to-back losses to get the win tonight."
The Bearcats sit on nine points with four league matches remaining. UC is tied with Rutgers at 3-4-0 in league play. The Bearcats and Scarlet Knights will do battle on Oct. 17 in Piscataway, N.J. The top six teams earn a spot in the BIG EAST Championship.
UC steps out of league play to wrap up a three-match homestand against Michigan on Oct. 14 in Gettler Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.