CINCINNATI -- The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team pushed No. 21 SMU to the brink on Saturday night at Gettler Stadium before conceding the game-winner in the 107th minute. The 1-0 loss dropped UC to 7-6-2 on the season and 1-2-2 in American Athletic Conference play, while the Mustangs improved to 10-2-2 and 5-0 in league action.
The extra time was full of action, as both teams had multiple chances. The second session became even more dramatic when SMU had two players sent off in a span of 11 seconds and was two-players down when scoring the game winner.
SMU's goal was preceded by consecutive outstanding chances by UC. Adam Wilson (Auchterarder, Scotland/Dollar Academy) ripped a shot from just outside the box that was saved by SMU's Michael Nelson. That was followed by John Manga (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay) sending one just inches above the crossbar.
Cincinnati's Pedro Diaz (Mason, Ohio/Mason) was solid in goal, keeping SMU in check for 106 minutes and 52 seconds before allowing the game-winner. He made a career-best eight saves in the match.
// GOAL SCORING SUMMARY
107' - SMU Mauro Cichero (Jared Rice)
SMU managed to win a throw in deep in UC's end. Rice took the throw and Cichero found it among a scrum in front of Diaz and sent it into the back of the net.
// GAME NOTES
- It was UC's first overtime loss since a 3-2 defeat at IUPUI last season.
- Cincinnati is now 1-2 on the season against ranked teams, having defeated Temple and lost to USF before tonight's match.
- The Bearcats honored their six seniors prior to the match. The group includes Manga, Emmanuel Appiah (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville Central), Stefan Bangsund (Kent, Wash./Highline College), Terence Carter (London, England/Northeastern), Alejandro Garcia (Coral Springs, Fla./Darton State) and Ben Keane (Mount Laurel, N.J./Bishop Eustace Prep).
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati plays its final home match of 2015 on Wednesday, Oct. 20, when Memphis visits Gettler for a 7 p.m. showdown.