TicketsSept. 1, 2010
CINCINNATI - Matt Bahner (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) scored in the sixth minute and the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team held on for a 1-0 win over Dayton in the season opener for both clubs on Wednesday night (Sept. 1) in Gettler Stadium.
The Bearcats (1-0-0) were dangerous early on, and cracked the scoreboard just 5:53 into their season. UC won a corner kick, which was taken by senior Mark Konitsch (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence Senior). His service found the head of Roger Thompson (Brampton, Ontario/Graceland), who snapped a header off the crossbar. The ball deflected to Bahner, who pounded home the loose ball for a 1-0 lead.
The Bearcats continued to push the action throughout the first half and held the majority of scoring opportunities.
The second half saw the Bearcats settle in defensively and force Dayton to bring more players into the attacking end.
Bahner had two chances to add to the lead in the second stanza, but UD goalkeeper Tyler Picard was up to the challenge on both, making diving saves to push Bahner's rockets aside.
Dayton pushed forward in the final minutes looking for the equalizer and nearly got it with 11 seconds to play. After a failed clearing attempt by UC, Jordan Beckett ripped a right-footed shot that clanged off the crossbar and was swept out by the Bearcats defense.
Cincinnati goalkeeper Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) made three saves on the night and posted his 12th career shutout, good for sixth on UC's all-time list.
The Bearcats have won three straight season openers and have topped Dayton in consecutive season openers after winning, 5-2, in 2009 at UD's Baujan Field.
The Bearcats are next in action on Sunday, Sept. 5, when they welcome Detroit to Gettler Stadium as part of a double header with the women's team. UC will take the field at approximately 3:30 p.m. following the No. 19-ranked women's match against Western Michigan at 1 p.m.