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Bearcats Welcome No. 25 West Virginia

Bearcats Welcome No. 25 West VirginiaBearcats Welcome No. 25 West Virginia

Sept. 30, 2011

Game Notes | Watch Live |

The Game:

  • The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team returns to conference play when it welcomes rv/25West Virginia to Gettler Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1. Kickoff between the Bearcats and Mountaineers is set for 7 p.m.

Series History:

  • West Virginia leads the all-time series, 4-0.
  • The Bearcats and Mountaineers have met twice as BIG EAST Conference foes, with WVU earning a pair of 2-0 wins (2006, 2009).
  • WVU has won both meetings between the clubs in Cincinnati (2009, 1987).

Story Lines:

  • The Bearcats have started five true freshmen and a first-year transfer this season.
  • Freshman Cole DeNormandie and junior college transfer Leon Powell have combined to score seven of UC's 13 goals this season. Newcomers have accounted for 10 goals in 2011.
  • DeNormandie is third in the BIG EAST with five goals and Shamar Shelton is fourth with three assists.
  • UC and crosstown rival Xavier played to a 1-1 draw on Sept. 28 in Gettler Stadium, extending the Bearcats' unbeaten streak against XU at home to 14 matches (11-0-3).
  • The Bearcats' seven combined goals against Central Arkansas and IUPUI are the most since scoring seven in back-to-back contests against Canisius (5-0) and Wright State (2-0) on Sept. 4 and Sept. 6 of 2009, respectively.
  • Head coach Hylton Dayes is in his 11th season at Cincinnati and 22nd as a head coach. Dayes holds an 89-83-30 mark at UC and a 185-168-49 overall record.
  • Dayes is the second winningest coach in UC history behind only Bob Muro, who posted a 114-111-13 mark in 12 seasons on the Bearcats sideline.
  • Junior goalkeeper Joey Barnard has allowed 11 goals in nine matches, posting his first career shutout in UC's home opener against Central Arkansas. He has made 35 saves and holds a .761 save percentage.
  • Junior midfielder Shamar Shelton scored the game-tying goal and assisted on another in UC's 3-1 season-opening win at Western Michigan.
  • Senior defender Sam Klosterman scored the game-winner at Western Michigan from the penalty spot and was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for his efforts.
  • Freshman midfielder Emmanuel Appiah tallied his first career goal in the second half at Virginia Tech in the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational.
  • Freshman Will Diebold scored his first career goal against Oakland, giving the Bearcats a lead in the 67th minute.
  • In 2010, UC posted a 7-5-7 overall mark, including a 5-1-3 ledger in BIG EAST play and a second-place BIG EAST Red Division finish. The Bearcats advanced to the BIG EAST Championship semifinals for the first time in program history.
  • Returning to the roster this season are second-team all-BIG EAST midfielder Matt Bahner and all-Ohio selection Roger Thompson, both currently sidelined with injury.
  • The Bearcats look to replace a starting forward, two starting midfielders, a starting defender, and a third-team all-conference goalkeeper from a season ago.
  • UC welcomes a class of 14 newcomers in 2011, a recruiting class ranked No. 28 in the nation by CollegeSoccerNews.com.