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The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team rallied in the second half to defeat Colorado College, 2-1, after trailing by one goal in the first half. Senior Danielle Rotheram chipped in the game-winning goal in the 84th minute.
The Tigers' left a dirty taste in the Bearcats' (3-2-1) mouths after the first half by scoring in the 45th minute to take a 1-0 lead. But UC rallied in the second and dominated play to jumpstart a comeback.
Freshman Jordan Cotleur and Rotheram each punched in second half goals to solidify Cincinnati's comeback victory. Cotleur's came in the 66th minute when she beat CC's goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation with a shot slotted into the lower corner. Rotheram recorded the game-winner in the 84th minute a she chipped the goalkeeper, who was off her line.
Senior goalkeeper Sam Pavlika played all 90 minutes in net for the Bearcats and accumulated five saves. The Temperance, Mich, native remains undefeated on the year with a 2-0-1 record.
// GOAL SCORING SUMMARY
45' - CC - Dana Gornick of Colorado College fought off a few defenders in the short corner and crossed ball into the box. Maddi Dunn came streaking down the center of the 18 unmarked to head the ball by a flailing S. Pavlika.
66' - CIN - On a loose ball at midfield, Vanessa Gilles came sliding in to boot the ball towards the CC goal. With the ball landing in between a pair of defenders, Cotleur sprinted to gain possession and attack the goalkeeper one-on-one. After two touches, the freshman slotted the ball under the keeper's arms and into the lower left corner.
84' - CIN - Cincinnati's midfielders stole an errant pass from Colorado College and swiftly passed the ball to Danielle Rotheram inside the 18. The senior netted the game-winning goal by chipping the goalkeeper, who was off her line and attempting to beat Rotheram to the ball.
// STAFFORD'S STANCE
"I was very happy that we grinded out another Sunday result, especially on the road," said head coach Neil Stafford. "I was proud that we battled in the second half because we showed a lot of character. As a coaching staff, we didn't say very much at half, but the players had their own meeting, which we were really happy to see. It felt like we saw growth right before our eyes at halftime and in the second half."
"In the second half, we just increased our work rate and work ethic. The team realized that the first half wasn't good enough and at what point are we going to outwork our talent, which we didn't do Friday against Colorado. Today in the second half our work rate was greater than our talent. We just really pummeled Colorado College in the second half by playing the majority of the half on their end of the field, which really influenced our ability to score goals. I am proud of Jordan Cotleur for getting us going in the second half by scoring her first career goal."
// NEXT WEEKEND
The Bearcats remain on the road next weekend as they head to the East Coast for a pair of matches in Pennsylvania. On Friday, Sept. 11, UC will take on St. Francis (PA) in Loretto, Pennsylvania, with a 4 p.m. ET kickoff. Cincinnati closes out the road trip with a Sunday matinee against Duquesne in Pittsburgh, Pensylvania, at 1 p.m. ET.