The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team dominated Xavier statistically on Sunday night, but ultimately, the two crosstown rivals ended in a 0-0 draw.
The Bearcats (5-2-3) dominated play for nearly the entire match, but UC was unable to capitalize on their chances. Cincinnati pounded the XU goalkeeper all night taking 27 shots with 13 being on frame. The Musketeers only mustered up 10 shots with one on goal, which redshirt junior Natalie Smith handled easily.
Senior midfielder Danielle Rotheram and sophomore Vanessa Gilles were the Bearcats' top offensive threats with Rotheram taking eight shots and Gilles recording six.
UC also had a lopsided advantage in corner kicks with UC taking 13 to Xavier's two.
// TOP SCORING OPPORTUNITIES
19' -- The Bearcats intercepted an errant XU pass at midfield and started a 3-on-2 attack. Rotheram diced down the field before taking a shot inside the 18 that dribbled wide right of the goal.
21' -- Jordan Cotleur stole a Musketeer clearance attempt and slipped a pass to Laura Rose inside the 18. The senior juked a defender before taking a strike with her right foot, but her shot was blocked and then scooped up by the goalkeeper.
36' -- Kelly Latimer bent in a corner kick to Gilles, who drilled the ball towards the new with her head. Luckily for Xavier, one of their defenders was on the goal line and booted the shot attempt away.
73' -- On a free kick from just outside the 18, Tiffany Huber bent the kick around the wall and attempted to sneak it under the crossbar. Unfortunately, the XU goalkeeper sprung up to push the ball over the goal.
81' -- Rotheram beat her defender to the end line and crossed a pass into the box. Rose came streaking down the center of the 18, but her shot attempt sailed over the goal.
82' -- Rotheram rebounded a UC shot and took a strike with her left foot, but the shot went into the diving goalkeeper's arms.
85' -- UC took possession of an Xavier throw in and got it to Rotheram at the right top corner of the 18. Rotheram spun around her defender and dribbled toward the keeper. Her left-footed kick bent just wide of the far upper 90.
// KEY SAVES
7' -- XU's Addie Englehart had a big strike from the left side of the 18 that Smith batted to away.
// NEXT WEEKEND
The Bearcats trek into American Athletic Conference action as they travel to Texas. UC opens up league action on Thursday, Sept. 24, as they take on SMU in Dallas, Texas. Cincinnati then travels to Houston, Texas, to take on the Cougars on Sunday, Sept. 27.