TicketsOct. 24, 2009
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to St. John's on Saturday (Oct. 24), Senior Night, in Gettler Stadium.
The Bearcats drop to 8-8-0 overall, 3-6-0 in league play, and sit in seventh place in the Red Division of the BIG EAST, one spot out of a berth in the BIG EAST Tournament.
St. John's (5-2-8, 4-1-4 BIG EAST) got on the board in the 33rd minute. Tadeu Terra sent a free kick into the box. Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) made the initial save, but the rebound was put in by Sverre Wegge Gundhus for his fourth goal of the season.
St. John's took its 1-0 lead into the half despite an 8-5 advantage in shots in the half. UC had several opportunities but was unable to crack the scoreboard.
"The first 20 to 25 minutes of the game we played well," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "We had several chances, but we just weren't finishing. At some point, we need to get a goal."
Sophomore D.J. Albert (Park City, Ill.) got UC that goal in the 47th minute. The midfielder collected a clearance by the St. John's defense and dribbled through traffic and into the Red Storm box before converting a right-footed shot for his second goal of the season, knotting the match at 1-1.
In the 69th minute, St. John's netted the winner on another set piece. Nelson Becerra sent a corner kick into the box. A header by Josh Faga was punched aside by Williams, but Trevor Chiduku headed in his first of the season to send UC to its third straight loss.
"St. John's is a very opportunistic team," Dayes continued. "Our spirit and energy was great, but we didn't score when we had chances, which it what you ultimately have to do to win games."
Williams made five saves for the Bearcats.
Prior to the match, UC honored seniors Luke Henke (Wauwatosa, Wis./Milwaukee Lutheran) and Judson McKinney (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy).
"Juddy and Luke are two great kids who have given their heart and soul to the program," Dayes said of his two seniors. "They are team players, tremendous individual and student-athletes and I am proud to have had the opportunity to coach them for the last four years."
UC will take on longtime rival Louisville on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Cardinal Park. The Bearcats and Cardinals will kick off at 7 p.m.