TicketsOct. 4, 2010
By Jeff Geiser
GoBEARCATS.com
When junior forward Julie Morrissey scored the game-winning goal in the 84th minute of the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team's 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday, it symbolized the crowning of the program's 30-year reunion weekend.
Additionally, it gave the Bearcats (7-5-1, 1-4-0 BIG EAST) their first BIG EAST victory of the season and snapped a three-game losing streak that began after UC defeated cross-town rival Xavier 3-1 on Sept. 16.
"The group that started today really did an outstanding job," head coach Michelle Salmon said. "It was great to see Jazmine (Rhodes) get her first career goal and, of course, Julie (Morrissey) hitting that big-time shot in a big-time moment is something that we needed. It's definitely the spark that we needed the past couple of weeks."
The win showcased the current women's soccer team in front of a Gettler Stadium crowd prominent with former UC players and coaches, who were honored at halftime and in town for a weekend that featured the 30-year UC women's soccer celebration at the Richard E. Linder Center on Saturday night.
Salmon, who was touched by the weekend's event, viewed it as a great learning experience not only for herself, but her team as well.
"I've been doing this for a long time, but I've never been a part of event so special to just women's soccer, and to see the story being told of how the program started," Salmon said. "I've heard from so many alumni and I didn't even know that's what went on. For us to really bring it back and have over 200 alumni, it was just a special day and a special weekend for our program. And obviously to cap it off with a win today, which marked the 30-year reunion, it was just a special day overall."
In attendance were Janet Lines, the head coach for the inaugural UC women's soccer team, and Meridy Glenn, who succeed Lines and coached the team for 25 seasons before Salmon's arrival. Those two were instrumental in assisting Salmon bring the weekend's events together.
"Meridy and I talked quite a bit before the event. Obviously with her 25 years with the program she keeps a close contact with several of her players," said Salmon. "So in order for this event to go off you have to get Janet Lines, who was the first coach here, Merideth and myself to really kind of bridge that gap with players to make sure everyone knew how special this event was going to be."
The weekend presented Salmon, as well as her coaches and players, the opportunity to mix and mingle with past players and coaches, strengthening the cohesiveness and pride in Lady Bearcats soccer.
"I've always taken great pride in coaching at Cincinnati. I know how special it is," Salmon exclaimed. "It's such a special place to be a part of. I always say, `I love what I do.' I think it's a pure blessing every day that I get to go out and do what I love. To do it at Cincinnati is special.
"But for me to see the story and how it came to fruition and meet the individuals that made it happen, well that puts things into perspective. You really are looking at the pioneers of women's soccer. I know those players don't feel that way, but they are. To see all of those guys do what they had to do, they're pioneers of Cincinnati women's soccer. For our players to meet them and understand what they meant to this program really puts things into perspective and it makes us appreciate what we do have."