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CINCINNATI -- Alejandro Garcia scored twice and Nick Melville added the game-winning goal as the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team defeated Northern Kentucky, 3-2, in the season opener on Friday night at Gettler Stadium.
Garcia (Coral Springs, Fla./Taravella) scored midway through the first half and early in the second half to spot UC to a 2-0 lead. The Norse responded with goals in the 64th and 84th minutes to equalize the match before Melville (Portland, Maine/Iowa Western) scored in the 85th to provide the final margin. With the win, the Bearcats are unbeaten in six of the last seven season openers.
// GOAL SCORING SUMMARY
27' - CIN Alejandro Garcia (Jonny Williams)
Jonny Williams (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland/IUPUI) notched his first point as a Bearcat by playing a ball along the left side and into Garcia, who headed it home from eight yards out.
47' - CIN Alejandro Garcia (Jack Clark)
Garcia netted his second goal of the match just 20 minutes later, pushing the UC lead to 2-0. Jack Clark (Mason, Ohio/Mason) sent it along the endline from the far side and Garcia cleaned it up just inside the six-yard box.
64' - NKU Kobie Qualah (Johannes Jansen)
The Norse opened their rally when Jansen played over the top into the box and drew UC keeper Alex Gill (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) off his line. Qualah was there to finish and find the back of the net.
84' - NKU Johannes Jansen (Diego Martinez)
Jansen was again the catalyst as NKU tied the match at 2. Martinez flicked it on through the UC defense and Jansen found it among a herd of Norse in front of the goal to score.
85' - CIN Nick Melville (Adam Wilson)
Melville provided the dramatics in his first regular season game as a Bearcat. Melville dribbled the ball into the box and dumped off to Wilson (Auchterarder, Scotland/Dollar Academy) who was about 10 yards from the net. Melville then beat his defender and scored on the give-and-go to give Cincinnati the decision.
// GOALKEEPERS
Alex Gill (CIN): Win | 2 goals allowed | 1 save
A.J. Fleak (NKU): Loss | 3 goals allowed | 1 save
// MATCH NOTES
- The win improved the Bearcats to 1-0-2 against NKU since the Norse began reclassifying to Division I in 2013. The teams played to a 1-1 draw each of the last two seasons.
- Cincinnati is now 21-17-5 all-time in season openers, as well as 9-3-3 under 15th-year head coach Hylton Dayes.
- Garcia became the first UC player to score two goals in a match Ashani Walker scored twice in a 5-1 decision over Temple on Oct. 18 of last season.
- Melville, Williams and Clark all recorded their first points with Cincinnati.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats remain at home to host Valparaiso on Monday, Aug. 31. The match is set for 7 p.m. and fans are invited to experience UC men's soccer all season long with complimentary attendance. The contest can also be seen live on BearcatsTV.