TicketsOct. 9, 2009
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Kendall Loggins (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) scored in the second minute of play for the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team but the Bearcats lost, 3-1, at Villanova University on Friday afternoon at Villanova Soccer Stadium.
"We started out well and did a good job of executing our game plan," said head coach Michelle Salmon. "Villanova is a good team but the bottom line is today we just couldn't get the win. What I love about this team is that we will regroup, refocus, and get prepared to play Georgetown. These games are in our division and we know how important they are. We have five games left and we have to get it done."
UC got on the board first when Loggins headed in a throw-in by Emily Hebbeler (Park Hills, Ky./Notre Dame Academy) in the second minute of play. The Wildcats responded in the 20th minute when Heidi Sabatura found the back of the net off a Katie Ryan corner kick. Ryan gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead when she scored on a penalty kick in the 33rd minute.
Villanova took a 2-1 advantage into halftime and sealed the victory in the second period when UC scored an own goal in the 52nd minute.
The Wildcats out shot UC, 18-4, and held a 6-0 advantage on corner kicks. Andrea Kaminski (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) had three saves in goal for the Bearcats which played without starters Heather Neiser (Batavia, Ohio/St. Ursula) and Julie Morrissey (Abington, Mass./Tabor Academy) and got only three minutes of play from senior Erin MacDonald (St. Catharine's, Ontario/West Park Secondary).
"Obviously, not having Heather and Julie and seeing limited time from Erin makes a difference in the game but I have stated all year that our depth is an advantage," noted Salmon. "We have dealt with injuries all season and the players who are playing need to step up. I am confident that the players who took the field today, and who will play on Sunday at Georgetown, are capable of winning. I know we will put forth a quality effort on the field on Sunday."
Cincinnati (7-6-1, 2-3-1 BIG EAST) will travel to Washington, D.C. to play Georgetown in a 1 p.m. BIG EAST match on Sunday at North Kehoe Field.