Tickets
CINCINNATI -- The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team played its first friendly of 2016 on Sunday, March 12, dropping a 2-1 decision to Tiffin University at Gettler Stadium.
Newcomer Austin Smythe (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day/Radford) scored the goal for UC, taking a ball cut back from the endline by Nick Melville (Portland, Maine/Cheverus/Iowa Western). The Bearcats controlled time of possession in the first half, but struggled to generate strong scoring chances.
Tiffin pushed forward in the second half, scoring off a cross to the back post where they were able to head it home. The second goal came following a turnover by the UC defense, followed by a diagonal ball to the Tiffin forward who beat Cincinnati keeper Alex Gill (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) off his line.
Gill made a pair of saves in relief of Pedro Diaz (Mason, Ohio/Mason), who made three saves without allowing a goal in the first half.
With UC on spring break next week, the Bearcats do not take the pitch for their second exhibition match until Saturday, April 2, when they visit Marshall. Games follow with Evansville (Saturday, April 9), at Dayton (Wednesday, April 13) and Rio Grande (Saturday, April 16) before the annual alumni match on Sunday, April 17.