TicketsCINCINNATI - The 2017 University of Cincinnati women's soccer season opened with another victory as true freshman Sophie Gorman found the back of the net in the 70' to put the hosts on top while the Bearcats defense did its part to keep visiting Buffalo off the score board Friday night at Gettler Stadium. The victory pushes the Bearcats to 1-0-0 on the year while the Bulls fell to 0-1-0.
// FIRST HALF
The first half did not see any scoring, but did see a physical battle as both teams tried to set the tone earlier. UB seemed to have the upper hand early on as the visitors applied pressure and recorded the first shot of the match as Gianna Yurchak redirected a cross toward the goal that slipped just wide of frame.
From there, the Bearcats took momentum from two quick shots, including an offering from Julia Abbott that was blocked by the defense, and continued to press. In the 24', the hosts looked to have taken the lead as the ball was redirected into the net, but the offside flag was raised and the goal disallowed. By the 38', Julie Gavorski send a header just wide of the net as the shots were 10-1 in favor of UC. The Bulls were able to get off one shot toward the end of the stanza, but halftime came about with the Bearcats leading 10-2 in shots, but the score tied at 0-0.
// SECOND HALF
While UC had several solid attempts on goal in the second half, one of the best came in the 61' as Jill Vetere carried the ball into the corner, cut back and sent a cross toward the center of the box where Jordan Cotleur's diving header was parried away by Laura Dougall to keep the Bearcats scoreless.
But, seven minutes later, the deadlock was broken as Gorman's goal brought the home fans to their feet. After the ball was bounced out by the UB defense, Taylor Pavlika collected and played a ball deep into the offensive third where Gorman brought the ball down and moved toward Dougall. The Bulls' keeper slid toward Gorman before the rookie pushed the ball around her and punched the ball home for a 1-0 lead. Her goal marked the second year in a row a true freshman opened the scoring for the Bearcats after Gabrielle LoPresti scored on a PK against Dayton in 2016.
From there, the Bearcats continued to keep UB's offense at bay as the visitors were unable to find much success in the attacking third. Goalkeeper Madison Less, one of four freshmen to make her collegiate debut as a starter, recorded one save on the night to also record her first clean sheet as a collegiate keeper.
// NOTES
- The Bearcats are now 1-0-0 on the season following their victory
- UC is 25-12-1 all-time in its season-openers and have won two in a row following a 2-1 (2ot) victory over Dayton last year
- UC also is 26-10-2 all-time in its first home match of the year
- Four freshmen (three true, one redshirt) made their debuts by earning a spot in Starting XI, including redshirt freshman Madison Less in goal and field players Sophie Gorman, Kiki Lowell and Karli Royer
- Three more freshmen and one transfer also made their debuts by seeing minutes later in the match, including rookies Abby Brauning, Lexie Kolano and Bailey Korhorn along with junior Jill Vetere
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats return to action Sunday as the play host to Boston University in a 1 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium. The Terriers are coming a 3-2 setback at Louisville Friday night.
// 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.
// FIRST HALF
The first half did not see any scoring, but did see a physical battle as both teams tried to set the tone earlier. UB seemed to have the upper hand early on as the visitors applied pressure and recorded the first shot of the match as Gianna Yurchak redirected a cross toward the goal that slipped just wide of frame.
From there, the Bearcats took momentum from two quick shots, including an offering from Julia Abbott that was blocked by the defense, and continued to press. In the 24', the hosts looked to have taken the lead as the ball was redirected into the net, but the offside flag was raised and the goal disallowed. By the 38', Julie Gavorski send a header just wide of the net as the shots were 10-1 in favor of UC. The Bulls were able to get off one shot toward the end of the stanza, but halftime came about with the Bearcats leading 10-2 in shots, but the score tied at 0-0.
// SECOND HALF
While UC had several solid attempts on goal in the second half, one of the best came in the 61' as Jill Vetere carried the ball into the corner, cut back and sent a cross toward the center of the box where Jordan Cotleur's diving header was parried away by Laura Dougall to keep the Bearcats scoreless.
But, seven minutes later, the deadlock was broken as Gorman's goal brought the home fans to their feet. After the ball was bounced out by the UB defense, Taylor Pavlika collected and played a ball deep into the offensive third where Gorman brought the ball down and moved toward Dougall. The Bulls' keeper slid toward Gorman before the rookie pushed the ball around her and punched the ball home for a 1-0 lead. Her goal marked the second year in a row a true freshman opened the scoring for the Bearcats after Gabrielle LoPresti scored on a PK against Dayton in 2016.
From there, the Bearcats continued to keep UB's offense at bay as the visitors were unable to find much success in the attacking third. Goalkeeper Madison Less, one of four freshmen to make her collegiate debut as a starter, recorded one save on the night to also record her first clean sheet as a collegiate keeper.
// NOTES
- The Bearcats are now 1-0-0 on the season following their victory
- UC is 25-12-1 all-time in its season-openers and have won two in a row following a 2-1 (2ot) victory over Dayton last year
- UC also is 26-10-2 all-time in its first home match of the year
- Four freshmen (three true, one redshirt) made their debuts by earning a spot in Starting XI, including redshirt freshman Madison Less in goal and field players Sophie Gorman, Kiki Lowell and Karli Royer
- Three more freshmen and one transfer also made their debuts by seeing minutes later in the match, including rookies Abby Brauning, Lexie Kolano and Bailey Korhorn along with junior Jill Vetere
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats return to action Sunday as the play host to Boston University in a 1 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium. The Terriers are coming a 3-2 setback at Louisville Friday night.
// 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.