CINCINNATI -- Emmanuel Appiah's 103rd-minute penalty kick sent the University of Cincinnati men's soccer to a 2-0 start on the year as it defeated Valparaiso, 1-0, on Monday night at Gettler Stadium.
Appiah (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville Central) converted the penalty kick after defender Ben Keane (Mount Laurel, N.J./Bishop Eustace Prep) was pulled down in the box during a corner kick by Adam Wilson (Auchterarder, Scotland/Dollar Academy). The victory gives Cincinnati victories in its first two matches for the first time since 2009 when the Bearcats opened the year 4-0.
// GOAL SCORING SUMMARY
104' - CIN Emmanuel Appiah (PK)
Appiah converted the penalty kick after Keane was pulled down in the box. Wilson sent a corner in from the near side toward the near post and as Keane tried to play it to his feet, he was dragged to the ground. Appiah confidently struck it away from Valpo keeper Nico Campbell for the win.
// ADDITIONAL SCORING CHANCES
Cincinnati's best scoring chance came about 15 minutes into the second half when Jonny Williams (Loveland, Ohio/IUPUI) headed a ball of the post. The Bearcats also had a header by Wilson go off the crossbar.
Valparaiso's best scoring chance arguably came in extra time when Ramone Howell had a shot blocked over the endline, resulting in a Crusader corner kick before the visitors eventually went offside to neutralize the threat.
// GAME NOTES
- The Bearcats are 2-0 for the first time since 2009, but they have been unbeaten through at least two matches on two other occasions since. The 2009 squad opened 4-0, the 2010 team opened 2-0-2 and the 2014 edition opened 0-0-2.
- The victory was Cincinnati's first overtime win since a 1-0 win over Eastern Illinois last season. It was the first win in double-overtime since defeating Villanova, 1-0, in 2007.
- It marked the first clean sheet for UC since a scoreless tie with UConn on Oct. 8 of lasst season.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats close out their season-opening three-match homestand on Thursday, Sept. 3, when ACC foe Virginia Tech visits Gettler. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and fans are invited to experience UC men's soccer all season long with complimentary admission and special happy hour pricing at the concession stand up until kickoff, including beer specials.