TicketsOct. 3, 2012
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team extended its school record shutout streak with a 0-0, double overtime draw against No. 21/20 USF on Wednesday evening in Gettler Stadium.
The Bearcats (5-4-3, 2-0-1 BIG EAST) have now held opponents scoreless for 624:14 minutes. UC is 4-0-2 during its shutout streak. Head coach Hylton Dayes has never lost to USF in Gettler Stadium, posting a 3-0-3 mark against the southern soccer power.
The Bulls (6-2-3, 1-0-2) had most of the ball throughout the match, and out shot the Bearcats, 17-13, on the evening. But UC's defense, led by center backs Michael Millay and Richardo Israel and wide defenders Mike Brizzi and Wyatt Stephens, starting for an injured Gabriel Robinson, kept the USF offense at bay.
The Bulls had few quality chances, but goalkeeper Taylor Hafling, who had six saves, came up big when needed, coming off his line to clear a through ball in the 57th minute. No bigger save was made than a shot from Robert Alterio in the 109th minute. In the waning minutes of the second overtime period, Leston Paul played a pass into the UC box and onto the foot of Alterio, who split a pair of defenders and was in on Halfing inside 10 yards. Halfing sprawled to save Alterio's effort, and the Bulls put home the rebound in what appeared to be game winner, but was waved off for offside.
UC's best chance came on a corner kick from Shamar Shelton in the 68th minute that was cleared out by the Bulls defense to an unmarked Zach Patterson. Patterson settled the ball and struck a dipping shot that was just over the crossbar and into the top netting.
UC is now 0-2-1 against ranked opponents this season and has won 13 matches with seven ties against Top 25 foes under Dayes.
UC's seven shutouts this season are the most since the 2010 squad, which finished 7-5-7 overall and advanced to the semifinals of the BIG EAST Tournament, posted nine clean sheets.
Cincinnati will take on its second straight ranked opponent when it travels to No. 12/16 St. John's on Saturday. The Bearcats and Red Storm will kick off at 7:30 p.m. from Belson Stadium.