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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team gained its second victory in as many matches when it knocked off the Bowling Green Falcons, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at Gettler Stadium.
UC improves to 3-3-0 on the season, while BGSU drops to 5-2-0. The Bearcats have now notched consecutive victories for the first time this season after besting the Cleveland State Vikings, 2-0, on Wednesday night at home.
After an even first period in which the two teams seemed to be feeling each other out, the Bearcats turned on the aggression early in the second with a couple of scoring attempts. UC was finally able to capitalize in the 61st minute when redshirt freshman Ryan Melink (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland) took a cross from sophomore Adam Wilson (Auchterarder, Scotland/Dollar Academy) and put it out of the reach of the goalkeeper for his first career goal. Facing a deficit with time winding down, the Falcons went on the attack in search of the equalizer. They nearly cashed in the match-tying goal in the 89th minute when Pat Flynn tried to sneak one past goalkeeper Pedro Diaz (Mason, Ohio/Mason), but the redshirt junior made a diving s save next to the near left post to thwart BGSU's comeback effort.
// GOAL SCORING SUMMARY
61' - CIN Ryan Melink (Adam Wilson)
Following a BGSU foul, the Bearcats got a throw in from midfield. Melink corralled the ball and took it down the right flank before crossing it over to the other side of the field for Wilson. The sophomore volleyed a long cross back to Melink who beat his defender to the ball and pushed it past the keeper for the score.
// SCORING OPPORTUNITIES
- Wilson sent a corner kick into the box where freshman Frederik Lindqvist (Nesbru, Norway/Norges Toppidrettsgymnas Baerum) headed the ball towards the net where it was blocked by a Bowling Green defender at the 9:31 mark. Seconds later, freshman Patrick Nielsen (Copenhagen, Denmark/Rungsted Gymnasium) sent a shot high over the goal.
- Off of a free kick from Wilson in the 15th minute, freshman Elliott Williams (London, England) fought for the ball in the air in the box and sent a header wide of the net.
- Wilson took a free kick from about 30 yards out at the 28:56 mark that the goalkeeper came out of his box to punch away.
- The Bearcats had a few chances early in the second period when Wilson sent one wide in the 53rd minute and Melink had a shot blocked seconds later.
// MATCH NOTES
- Melink scored his first career goal on Saturday. The Loveland native played in three matches last season before being injured and forced to use a medical redshirt.
- Wilson now has 12 career assists including helpers in three consecutive matches. He leads the team with four already this season after recording eight as a freshman.
- Diaz recorded his third clean sheet of the season - and second consecutive -- with five saves on the day. He had one shutout last season.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will welcome the Thomas More Saints on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. inside Gettler Stadium. The match will serve as a replacement for UC's season opener against Appalachian State on Aug. 26 that was cancelled due to weather. Admission to the match will be complimentary, as it is all season long, as part of the Experience UC initiative. Fans unable to attend can stream the match for free on Bearcats TV.