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University of Cincinnati senior Danielle Rotheram notched a natural hat trick in the second half against Duquesne to guide the Bearcats' to a 3-2 comeback win over the Dukes. Rotheram tallied the 22nd hat trick in program history.
After falling behind 2-0 at halftime, UC (5-2-1) looked to Rotheram in the second to get the Bearcats back in the game, and the Toronto, Canada, native didn't disappoint. She rattled off three goals in a 30-minute span to post the 22nd hat trick in Cincinnati history and lead UC to a comeback victory.
Rotheram's first goal came in the 51st minute as she volleyed a shot from 20 yards out and over an outstretched goalkeeper. Twenty-one minute later, Bailey Wilson tapped the ball towards the mouth of the goal, and the senior forward pushed in the game-tying goal. Her final goal came in the 79th minute when Taylor Pavlika crossed a ball into the middle of the 18 from the left side, and Rotheram headed in the game-winner.
The last hat trick by a UC player was Sept. 10, 2010, by Tianna Oliver against San Diego State.
// GOAL SUMMARY
6' -- DU -- Duquesne's Katie O'Connor pressed the Bearcats backline and forced a turnover to begin a breakaway. O'Connor dribbled into the box before passing across the face of the goal to Linnea Faccenda launched a ball just under the crossbar.
11' -- DU -- UC's Kelly Latimer was putting pressure on a Duke midfielder, and the pass made was deflected behind the Bearcats' defensive unit. Unluckily for Cincinnati, O'Connor was there for another breakaway. The freshman went one-on-one with Kayla Utley before sneaking a shot through Utley's legs and inside the right post.
51' -- UC -- Freshman Tiffany Huber sent a bouncing ball towards Rotheram, who was about 20 yards away from the goal. The senior controlled the ball before volleying a shot over an outstretched goalkeeper.
72' -- UC -- Off a throw in to the near post, Wilson controlled the ball by the left post before tapping it to the face of the goal. Rotheram happened to be standing there unmarked and pushed in the game-tying goal.
79' -- UC -- T. Pavlika collected a clearance by the Dukes' on the left side of the field. The sophomore transfer booted a long and high cross towards the far post, and Rotheram drove home the game-winner with her head.
// LIE'S COMMENTS
"Obviously, we were disappointed with conceding two early goals," said associate head coach Nate Lie. We can't make such blatant mistakes against a team as quality and energized as Duquesne. Fortunately, we were able to regroup at halftime, and we put together an organized, focused and productive second half. We pride ourselves on wearing down opponents with our relentless grind, and, of course, Danielle [Rotheram] came through for us big with her three goals."
// NEXT WEEKEND
The Bearcats return to Cincinnati next weekend as for a home match against Long Beach State on Friday, Sept. 18, and a road contest against crosstown rival Xavier on Sunday, Sept. 20.