TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team returns to the field Monday with an exhibition game against Rio Grande at 7 p.m. ET in Gettler Stadium.
Admission to the match is free, as it is all season long, as part of the Experience UC initiative.
Monday marks the Bearcats second exhibition match after the 2017 opener against Detroit on Friday night. Sophomore Elias Helbig (Denver, Colo./East/Creighton) found the back of net late for UC off a free kick in the 88th minute in a 3-1 loss to the Titans.
EXHIBITION MATCH 1 RECAP: Helbig Strikes in 3-1 Preseason Friendly Setback to Detroit
"We have had two good days of practice heading into the Rio Grande match," Head Coach Hylton Dayes said. "We want to get a good idea of where we are in terms of fitness, which has been an area we have worked on in preseason. We are looking to improve defensively, working on our shape and 1v1 defending as well as our attacking play in the final third by creating more scoring chances."
Rio Grande was the NAIA National Championship runner-up for the second-consecutive year in 2016 with an overall record of 21-2-2. The Red Storm returns Jorge Guinovart who scored 14 goals and dished out 12 assists last year. As a result, Guinovart was named a NAIA First Team All-American.
"Preseason is a gradual process and so we continuing to emphasize our style of play, mentality and work ethic needed at this level while integrating the new players," Dayes said. "Fans can expect a sharper, more cohesive team with fewer defensive breakdowns; creating more chances in attack."
Following earning a 9-7-1 overall record in 2016, including a program-high fourth place finish in the American Athletic Conference, the Bearcats will face a challenging and exciting schedule in 2017. This year's slate will feature 10 home contests, highlighted by hosting crosstown rival Xavier. AAC play will include seven matches including visiting NCAA Tournament teams USF and Tulsa.
View the complete 2017 schedule here.
// EXPERIENCE UC
Again this season, the Bearcats will be participating in the University's Experience UC initiative that offers free admission (no ticket required) to regular season, home events for select sports. Enjoy free admission to women's basketball, cross country, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events. The Bearcats will continue to ticket football, men's basketball and baseball home events.
Experience UC is a user-friendly, community outreach effort that offers the opportunity for many more to witness the seismic changes which are transpiring on our incredible campus. From all our beautiful campus has to offer, to our first-class facilities, we are proud to open our doors to our returning patrons as well as those who will experience UC for the first time. The Bearcats are competing to be the class of the league and we invite people to be a part of an unprecedented time in Clifton.
A number of behind-the-scenes experiences geared towards groups are available before most men's soccer matches. Groups interested in attending games in 2017-18 should contact Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Branding Luke Willman at 513-556-1081 or luke.willman@uc.edu for more information and to schedule group experiences.
Admission to the match is free, as it is all season long, as part of the Experience UC initiative.
Monday marks the Bearcats second exhibition match after the 2017 opener against Detroit on Friday night. Sophomore Elias Helbig (Denver, Colo./East/Creighton) found the back of net late for UC off a free kick in the 88th minute in a 3-1 loss to the Titans.
EXHIBITION MATCH 1 RECAP: Helbig Strikes in 3-1 Preseason Friendly Setback to Detroit
"We have had two good days of practice heading into the Rio Grande match," Head Coach Hylton Dayes said. "We want to get a good idea of where we are in terms of fitness, which has been an area we have worked on in preseason. We are looking to improve defensively, working on our shape and 1v1 defending as well as our attacking play in the final third by creating more scoring chances."
Rio Grande was the NAIA National Championship runner-up for the second-consecutive year in 2016 with an overall record of 21-2-2. The Red Storm returns Jorge Guinovart who scored 14 goals and dished out 12 assists last year. As a result, Guinovart was named a NAIA First Team All-American.
"Preseason is a gradual process and so we continuing to emphasize our style of play, mentality and work ethic needed at this level while integrating the new players," Dayes said. "Fans can expect a sharper, more cohesive team with fewer defensive breakdowns; creating more chances in attack."
Following earning a 9-7-1 overall record in 2016, including a program-high fourth place finish in the American Athletic Conference, the Bearcats will face a challenging and exciting schedule in 2017. This year's slate will feature 10 home contests, highlighted by hosting crosstown rival Xavier. AAC play will include seven matches including visiting NCAA Tournament teams USF and Tulsa.
View the complete 2017 schedule here.
// EXPERIENCE UC
Again this season, the Bearcats will be participating in the University's Experience UC initiative that offers free admission (no ticket required) to regular season, home events for select sports. Enjoy free admission to women's basketball, cross country, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events. The Bearcats will continue to ticket football, men's basketball and baseball home events.
Experience UC is a user-friendly, community outreach effort that offers the opportunity for many more to witness the seismic changes which are transpiring on our incredible campus. From all our beautiful campus has to offer, to our first-class facilities, we are proud to open our doors to our returning patrons as well as those who will experience UC for the first time. The Bearcats are competing to be the class of the league and we invite people to be a part of an unprecedented time in Clifton.
A number of behind-the-scenes experiences geared towards groups are available before most men's soccer matches. Groups interested in attending games in 2017-18 should contact Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Branding Luke Willman at 513-556-1081 or luke.willman@uc.edu for more information and to schedule group experiences.