Tickets
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team rallied from a two-goal deficit but conceded a late game-winner and dropped a 3-2 decision to UCF on Saturday night at Gettler Stadium.
Goals from Christian Hay (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day) and Alejandro Garcia (Coral Springs, Fla./Taravella/Darton State) weren't enough for the Bearcats on Senior Night.
// Scoring Summary
UCF 1, Cincinnati 0 - Williams 43'
The Knights got out to a lead late in the first half, with the Bearcats misplaying a goalkick from keeper Taylor Hafling (Louisville, Ky./Male). Romario Williams took the misplay and one a 1-v-1 with Hafling to make it 1-0.
UCF 2, Cincinnati 0 - Miller 46'
UCF built the lead early in the second half, taking advantage of a UC foul. Williams took a free kick outside the box and drew new Cincinnati keeper Alex Gill (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek)off the line and Mason Miller converted a header to make it 2-0.
UCF 2, Cincinnati 1 - Hay 64'
A corner kick from one of the seniors, Alan Rovira (Simi Valley, Calif./Simi Valley), from the near corner to the far post found the head of Hay to get the Bearcats back in the game.
Cincinnati 2, UCF 2 - Garcia 66'
It was another senior, Ashani Walker (Kingston, Jamaica/Jamaica College), who set-up the second UC goal. He was playing through the midfield before sending a beautiful ball up field to Garcia at the top of the box. Garcia then sent it through the UCF keeper's legs to tie the match.
UCF 3, Cincinnati 2 - Miller 85'
It was another header from Miller that won the match from the visitors. This time Walker Dawkins took the free kick and set it in to Miller for the header. Miller went far post and it ticked off the hands of a diving Gill and into the net to seal the match.
// Senior Night Points & More
The Bearcats saw contributions from all five seniors. In addition to points from Rovira and Walker and play at keeper from Hafling, Matt Remaley (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista) and Will Diebold (Coppell, Texas/Jesuit College Prep) were also instrumental in the defense and midfield, respectively. The five seniors were honored prior to the match.
// Up Next
The Bearcats travel to Dallas, Texas, for the regular season finale at SMU on Saturday, Nov. 1. The match is set for 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, with seeding for the American Athletic Conference Tournament on the line. The league's top four teams will host teams five-eight in quarterfinal matches on Saturday, Nov. 8.