Bearcats Take On No. 16/23 Louisville

Sept. 15, 2010

Complete Release in PDF Format

The Game:

• Cincinnati plays the first of a three-match road swing at Louisville on Thursday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.
• The match is the first BIG EAST Conference test of 2010 for both squads
• Louisville has not lost a match this season and is ranked No. 16 in the most recent Soccer America Top 25 poll. The Cardinals are ranked No. 23 in the NSCAA/HendrickCars.com Poll

Storylines and Notes:

• After starting the season unbeaten in its first six games for the first time in school history, UC is now 5-1-1 after falling to Illinois on Sept. 11
• UC was ranked No. 19 and No. 15 in the Soccer America Women's Top 25 poll earlier this season, the first time since the 2002 season that UC cracked the Top 25
• Prior to Saturday's game, the last time UC played Illinois was in 2002. Cincinnati lost, 3-0, to the Fighting Illini that season and went unbeaten in its next 12 games
• Louisville is UC's second ranked opponent this season. The Bearcats won at No. 20 Wisconsin, 1-0 on Aug. 29
• Head coach Michelle Salmon is 23-18-5 in her three seasons at UC and is five wins away from her 100th career win (95-80-19) during her 11 years as a head coach

Series History:

• The match against Louisville is the 27th time the two teams have played
• UC owns an 18-7-1 advantage over the Cardinals
• The Bearcats defeated Louisville last season at Gettler Stadium, 2-0
• The win last year snapped a 6-game losing streak against UofL

Awards and Honors:

• Rachel Barnette was named to TopDrawerSoccer.com Women's Team of the Week for Monday Aug. 30 through Sunday Sept. 5 after back-to-back shutouts and six saves
• Kelli Pawelko was named a CollegeSoccer360.com Primetime Performer of the Week #2
• Kelli Pawelko was twice named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (8/30/10 and 9/6/10)
• Pawelko scored the game-winner against No. 20 Wisconsin on Aug. 29
• Rachel Barnette was twice named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (8/30/10 and 9/6/10)
• Barnette recorded four straight shutouts, the first time since the 2008 season that a UC goalkeeper recorded four consecutive shutouts
• Emily Hebbeler was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (8/23/10)
• Hebbeler scored two goals against Morehead State, her first multi-goal game and UC's first since Sept. 13, 2009

30 Years:

• During the 2010 season UC will celebrate 30 seasons of varsity women's soccer
• On Saturday, Oct. 2, the Bearcats will have a special evening for all former players and on Sunday, Oct. 3, all former players in attendance will be honored at halftime of the BIG EAST contest against Pittsburgh

Depth and Firepower:

• Head coach Michelle Salmon has noted that the 2010 squad is her deepest since she has been at UC
• There are 11 midfielders, nine forwards, three defenders and two goalkeepers on the roster
• Junior Emily Hebbeler, who was one of the team's top scoring threats in 2009, picked up where she left off, scoring two goals in the season opener. She leads the team with three goals and seven points in 2010
• UC's Logan Ballinger (MF), who missed most of last season due to an injury, scored the game-winning goal at Bowling Green
• The 2010 team captains are senior Sydney Barker, and juniors Logan Ballinger and Kay Young

Challenging Schedule:

• Four of UC's opponents on the 2010 schedule were ranked in the NCAA Women's Division I Preseason Poll
• Notre Dame, the second BIG EAST opponent UC will take on this year, is currently ranked No. 7
• Rutgers, Georgetown, and Louisville are also in the Top 25 with Illinois receiving votes
• Cincinnati defeated No. 20 Wisconsin on the road, the second time in as many seasons that the Bearcats have knocked off a ranked opponent (winning 1-0 on 10/4/09 at No. 12 St. John's)

Last Time Out:

• Cincinnati fell behind early and was unable to overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit, falling 3-0 to Illinois

Up Next:

• Cincinnati continues its road swing, heading across town to take on Xaver (9/19), and then playing at Notre Dame (9/24)