TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team closed out its two-match exhibition season on the road as the Bearcats scored a 3-1 victory over host Indiana Friday night in Bloomington, Ind. UC finished its preseason slate with a 2-0-0 record and outscored its opponents, 7-1.
"I thought we were a bit slow out of the gate tonight," Head Coach Neil Stafford said following the match. "Our legs were not used to the soft grass field and that led to Indiana carrying the play early. I was pleased with how our players fought through that mental adversity of having heavy legs, especially after traveling three hours on a bus before we played the match."
Despite the slow start, the Bearcats got on the board first Friday night with the first goal of the game coming at the 16' mark as freshman Sophie Gorman collected the ball at the top of the box, turned and ripped a shot screaming past the keeper to stake the Bearcats to a 1-0 lead. UC nearly doubled their lead later in the first half, but saw an offering from Jaycie Brown hit the outside of the post on an empty net.
"I was also pleased with our resilience," Stafford said. "Jaycie (Brown) missed an open net opportunity that would have made it 2-0 at the half, Indiana then tied the match early in the second half. After they scored, you didn't see us panic and unravel and that was a real positive."
With the match knotted at one goal apiece, the Bearcats clamped down to keep IU off the board the rest of the way. In the 63', UC reclaimed the lead as Brown was able to find the back of the net this time as she redirected a pass off a set piece to put the visitors ahead for good. Julia Abbott added an insurance goal later in the match to bring the final score to 3-1.
"There were some good individual performances tonight," Stafford continued. "Sophie Gorman scored another goal and several freshmen contributed as well, but there were strong performances all around tonight from everyone involved. Everyone that was healthy dressed and played tonight and I was pleased with our team mentality, whether it was scoring or helping create chances. Just because someone might not have scored or assisted on a goal, they did their part to create grit, mentality and energy for those around them and, sometimes, that's just as valuable as goals and assists.
Madison Less got the start in goal for UC and held the hosts scoreless in the first half before making way for rookie Jane Sensibaugh, who patrolled the goal for the remainder of the match.
"The goalkeepers also did very well tonight," Stafford continued. "Madison (Less) and Jane (Sensibaugh) split time tonight and I was pleased that our young keepers are putting so much confidence into the team."
// NEXT MATCH
The regular season gets underway Friday night with Buffalo coming to town to face the Bearcats in a 7 p.m. contest at Gettler Stadium. Fans that cannot attend in person can watch the match live and free on GoBearcats.com.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsWSOC. Head Coach Neil Stafford (@UCGaffer) also can be followed on Twitter.
// EXPERIENCE UC
The University of Cincinnati department of athletics announced an initiative entitled Experience UC, geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending women's basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events.
"I thought we were a bit slow out of the gate tonight," Head Coach Neil Stafford said following the match. "Our legs were not used to the soft grass field and that led to Indiana carrying the play early. I was pleased with how our players fought through that mental adversity of having heavy legs, especially after traveling three hours on a bus before we played the match."
Despite the slow start, the Bearcats got on the board first Friday night with the first goal of the game coming at the 16' mark as freshman Sophie Gorman collected the ball at the top of the box, turned and ripped a shot screaming past the keeper to stake the Bearcats to a 1-0 lead. UC nearly doubled their lead later in the first half, but saw an offering from Jaycie Brown hit the outside of the post on an empty net.
"I was also pleased with our resilience," Stafford said. "Jaycie (Brown) missed an open net opportunity that would have made it 2-0 at the half, Indiana then tied the match early in the second half. After they scored, you didn't see us panic and unravel and that was a real positive."
With the match knotted at one goal apiece, the Bearcats clamped down to keep IU off the board the rest of the way. In the 63', UC reclaimed the lead as Brown was able to find the back of the net this time as she redirected a pass off a set piece to put the visitors ahead for good. Julia Abbott added an insurance goal later in the match to bring the final score to 3-1.
"There were some good individual performances tonight," Stafford continued. "Sophie Gorman scored another goal and several freshmen contributed as well, but there were strong performances all around tonight from everyone involved. Everyone that was healthy dressed and played tonight and I was pleased with our team mentality, whether it was scoring or helping create chances. Just because someone might not have scored or assisted on a goal, they did their part to create grit, mentality and energy for those around them and, sometimes, that's just as valuable as goals and assists.
Madison Less got the start in goal for UC and held the hosts scoreless in the first half before making way for rookie Jane Sensibaugh, who patrolled the goal for the remainder of the match.
"The goalkeepers also did very well tonight," Stafford continued. "Madison (Less) and Jane (Sensibaugh) split time tonight and I was pleased that our young keepers are putting so much confidence into the team."
// NEXT MATCH
The regular season gets underway Friday night with Buffalo coming to town to face the Bearcats in a 7 p.m. contest at Gettler Stadium. Fans that cannot attend in person can watch the match live and free on GoBearcats.com.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsWSOC. Head Coach Neil Stafford (@UCGaffer) also can be followed on Twitter.
// EXPERIENCE UC
The University of Cincinnati department of athletics announced an initiative entitled Experience UC, geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending women's basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events.