TicketsApril 19, 2010
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team had a busy weekend on campus April 16-18. The Bearcats stayed unbeaten in spring play with a 3-0 win against Cincinnati State on Friday night at Gettler Stadium. The team then hosted its inagural alumni golf outing on Saturday morning followed by the annual awards banquet in the evening. The weekend was capped by a thrilling 3-2 win against the alumni in the annual alumni match on Sunday afternoon.
"It was very enjoyable weekend." head coach Hylton Dayes said. "The guys played well against Cincinnati State on Friday, scoring three goals and keeping a clean sheet. We had a strong turnout for the alumni golf outing on Saturday and also the game on Sunday. It is always great to welcome our alumni back to campus"
On Friday night, the Bearcats got off to a quick start, jumping to a 2-0 lead on the strength of goals by D.J. Albert and Matt Bahner. Branden Stelmak blasted home a 25-yard free kick to round out the scoring for the home team. Matt Williams and Joey Barnard split time in goal, posting the shutout, UC's second in three spring matches.
Mark Konitsch and Bahner took home Offensive MVP honors, while Luke Henke was named the team's Defensive MVP at the banquet on Saturday evening, held at Mick and Mack's in Tangeman University Center. Dan Cooperider earned the Newcomer of the Year award and Peter Jannelli was named the team's Most Improved. Seniors Henke and Judson McKinney were honored with senior awards and the team was recognized for its academic success, as evidenced by the NSCAA Team Academic Award it received earlier this year.
Dayes also announced the team captains for the 2010 season, voted by the players. Konitsch, Stelmak, Nick Weightman, and Chris Mitchell will lead the Bearcats this fall as quad-captains.
On Sunday afternoon, the Bearcats jumped to a 3-0 advantage against a sizeable group of former players and alums in Gettler Stadium. Weightman, Stelmak, and Christian Myton scored first-half goals for UC. The alumni fought back - using a 15-on-11 advantage - to pull within a goal after tallies by newest alum McKinney and Kenny Anaba. The Bearcats were able to hang on for the 3-2 victory.
The coaching staff would like to thank all the alumni and families that participated in the weekend's events.
UC will continue its spring season on Friday, April 23, at 9 p.m. against Butler as part of a tripleheader at the Northern Kentucky University Soccer Stadium.