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AMBLER, Pa. - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team saw its three-match winning streak snapped on Saturday outside Philadelphia, dropping a 2-0 decision to Temple in the American Athletic Conference opener.
// Scoring Summary
Temple 1, Cincinnati 0 - Martinelli 8'
Mark Grasela and Miguel Polley combined to play a ball into the box for Jared Martinelli, who found the back of the net to give the Owls an early lead.
Temple 2, Cincinnati 0 - Wilson 49'
The hosts struck early in the second half as well, Jonah Williams and Polley played a ball to Chas Wilson, who took a touch pass and dribbled to the right side of the box before beating UC keeper Alex Gill (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek).
// Thoughts From the Coach
"We started both halves very slowly and as a result gave up goals in the first 10 minutes of each half," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "Give Temple credit. They put us under pressure and it paid off with the early goal. We had some good chances to tie things up before the end of the half, but could not convert. We have to regroup and use the week ahead to get back on track."
// Streak Snapped
The Bearcats had entered the start of American Athletic Conference play with the league's longest winning streak. UC was coming off three shutout victories over IPFW (5-0), Eastern Illinois (1-0/OT) and Cleveland State (2-0). It had also marked the first time Cincinnati recorded three consecutive clean sheets since accomplishing the feat in six straight matches in 2012.
// Manga Matters
Temple kept Cincinnati's biggest scoring threat, John Manga (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay), in check. The team's leading scorer with six goals, Manga was held to just one shot in the match. The Bearcats are undefeated when Manga finds the back of the net, 3-0-1.
// Up Next
UC stays on the road for its next match, traveling to new American Athletic Conference member Tulsa on Saturday, Oct. 4. The match is set for 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT in Tulsa, Oklahoma.