TicketsAug. 10, 2011
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team has been selected to finish fifth in the BIG EAST Conference Red Division by a vote of the league's coaches.
The Bearcats, who finished the 2010 season 7-5-7 overall and advanced to the BIG EAST Championship semifinals for the first time in program history, return 11 letterwinners from last year's squad. All-BIG EAST second team honoree Matt Bahner (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) returns for his senior season after leading the squad with seven goals and seven assists. Roger Thompson (Brampton, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) will again anchor a defense that set a school record in 2010, posting a 0.68 goals against average.
Louisville, who fell to Akron in the 2010 NCAA final, was chosen as the Red Division favorite, followed by USF, St. John's, Villanova, and UC.
Connecticut, who Cincinnati defeated in penalty kicks in the 2010 BIG EAST Championship quarterfinals, was tabbed as the Blue Division favorite, followed by Notre Dame, West Virginia, Georgetown, Providence, Marquette, Seton Hall, and Pittsburgh.
The Bearcats take on Providence and West Virginia in BIG EAST cross-divisional games in 2011.
Cincinnati opens exhibition play on Monday, August 15, at 7 p.m. when it hosts Bowling Green at Gettler Stadium. The regular season opener is set for Saturday, August 27, at Western Michigan.