TicketsCINCINNATI - After falling behind for the first time this season, the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team found a way to salvage a result as second half goals from Vanessa Gilles and Gabrielle LoPresti erased a two-goal deficit to help the Bearcats record a 2-2 tie with visiting Pittsburgh Thursday night at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati. The tie, which came about following a controversial no call in the Pitt penalty box on what appeared to be a hand ball in the closing minute of the second overtime period, was the first non-win of the year for both sides as the Bearcats and Panthers are both 2-0-1 on the season.
// FIRST HALF
For the first time this season, the Bearcats trailed in a match and conceded a goal as the visiting Panthers struck first. In the 6', Taylor Pryce collected the ball, moved to her left and lined a shot from the top of the box into the left side of the goal to put UP on top, 1-0. That goal ended a streak of 185:59 to open the year in which UC had not been scored upon and also ended a streak of 326:40 of scoreless play dating back to a late goal in a 2-1 win over Temple in the regular season finale of 2016.
UC nearly pulled that goal back several times in the opening half, including in the 28' as Dee Picou collected the ball and used some fancy footwork to move through the defense before launching a shot on goal that just missed high over the cross bar. One minute later, rookie Sophie Gorman had her own chance to tie the score as she also worked her way through the defense to the top of the box and launched a shot that the Pitt keeper snared from the air.
Offensively, the Bearcats out-shot the Panthers, 13-3, in the first 45 minutes of play and also held a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks.
// SECOND HALF
Trailing 1-0 following the intermission, the Bearcats looked to put the pressure on once again, but it was the Panthers that did just that as they added their second of the contest. The ball came down the wing with Jess McCoppin collecting the ball and sending a lob into the box where Pryce got on the end of the pass and shot it past Madison Less to double the advantage.
In the 56', UC continued to press the pace of play and were nearly rewarded as the Bearcats were denied on two attempts. First, Karli Royer sent a cross into the box where Gorman collected, turned and launched a shot that hit the cross bar and shot high into the air. Jaycie Brown was the first to get a head on the ball and sent it on frame only to see the Pitt defense clear the line and keep UC off the board.
But, the Bearcats were able to get on the board three minutes later with a goal in the 57'. It all began as Julie Gavorski was cutting toward the goal for a potential crossing attempt and before being cut down by the Pitt defense. A free kick was awarded just outside the box with Katy Couperus standing over the ball before lofting a pass over the wall and onto the head of a diving Gilles, who got behind the defense to knock the ball home to pull one back for the hosts.
With the one pulled back and the momentum with the hosts, UC continued to fire away before and were rewarded 10 minutes later as the equalizer was recorded. Jordan Cotleur drove the ball down the right side and sent a cross into the box that was deflected by the defense. LoPresti located the loose ball and immediately shot on goal, seeing Pitt keeper Katelyn McEachern get a hand on the shot. But, that was not enough as the ball rolled past the keeper and just inside the post and Gilles rushing on to ensure the ball found a way into the net. Neither team was able to score following that tally and forced the match into overtime.
// OVERTIME
While the Bearcats had the best opportunities to end the match in the extra sessions, they were unable to find the scoring touch for a third time. Both Picou and Brown had strong attempts on goal in the overtime period, but both were saved by McEachern. Deep into the second overtime and with just over one minute remaining, the Bearcats pushed toward goal and saw Gorman fire a shot toward the net. It was deflected and appeared to hit a defender's arm. But, a penalty was not whistled, much to the chagrin of the home side. From there, the clock ran out and the match ended in a draw.
// NOTES
- The Bearcats are now 2-0-1 on the season while the Panthers also carry the same record
- The Bearcats remained undefeated in the all-time series with Pitt, improving to 2-0-1
- The goal allowed at 5:59 by the Bearcats marked the first goal conceded this year after having not been scored upon in the previous 326:40 of play going back to last season. Prior to that, the last time UC conceded a goal was at the 69:19 mark of a 2-1 win over Temple in 2016 regular season finale.
- Junior transfer Jill Vetere earned the first start of UC career Thursday night. Vetere, a product of Mason, Ohio, played the previous two seasons at Louisville.
- UC out-shot Pitt, 34-5, in the match and recorded a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats are back on the pitch Sunday in a 1 p.m. meeting with the Hurricanes of Miami (Fla.). The match, UC's fourth in a row at home to open the season, will be held at Gettler Stadium with complimentary admission for all fans.
// 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
For the first time this season, the Bearcats trailed in a match and conceded a goal as the visiting Panthers struck first. In the 6', Taylor Pryce collected the ball, moved to her left and lined a shot from the top of the box into the left side of the goal to put UP on top, 1-0. That goal ended a streak of 185:59 to open the year in which UC had not been scored upon and also ended a streak of 326:40 of scoreless play dating back to a late goal in a 2-1 win over Temple in the regular season finale of 2016.
UC nearly pulled that goal back several times in the opening half, including in the 28' as Dee Picou collected the ball and used some fancy footwork to move through the defense before launching a shot on goal that just missed high over the cross bar. One minute later, rookie Sophie Gorman had her own chance to tie the score as she also worked her way through the defense to the top of the box and launched a shot that the Pitt keeper snared from the air.
Offensively, the Bearcats out-shot the Panthers, 13-3, in the first 45 minutes of play and also held a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks.
// SECOND HALF
Trailing 1-0 following the intermission, the Bearcats looked to put the pressure on once again, but it was the Panthers that did just that as they added their second of the contest. The ball came down the wing with Jess McCoppin collecting the ball and sending a lob into the box where Pryce got on the end of the pass and shot it past Madison Less to double the advantage.
In the 56', UC continued to press the pace of play and were nearly rewarded as the Bearcats were denied on two attempts. First, Karli Royer sent a cross into the box where Gorman collected, turned and launched a shot that hit the cross bar and shot high into the air. Jaycie Brown was the first to get a head on the ball and sent it on frame only to see the Pitt defense clear the line and keep UC off the board.
But, the Bearcats were able to get on the board three minutes later with a goal in the 57'. It all began as Julie Gavorski was cutting toward the goal for a potential crossing attempt and before being cut down by the Pitt defense. A free kick was awarded just outside the box with Katy Couperus standing over the ball before lofting a pass over the wall and onto the head of a diving Gilles, who got behind the defense to knock the ball home to pull one back for the hosts.
With the one pulled back and the momentum with the hosts, UC continued to fire away before and were rewarded 10 minutes later as the equalizer was recorded. Jordan Cotleur drove the ball down the right side and sent a cross into the box that was deflected by the defense. LoPresti located the loose ball and immediately shot on goal, seeing Pitt keeper Katelyn McEachern get a hand on the shot. But, that was not enough as the ball rolled past the keeper and just inside the post and Gilles rushing on to ensure the ball found a way into the net. Neither team was able to score following that tally and forced the match into overtime.
// OVERTIME
While the Bearcats had the best opportunities to end the match in the extra sessions, they were unable to find the scoring touch for a third time. Both Picou and Brown had strong attempts on goal in the overtime period, but both were saved by McEachern. Deep into the second overtime and with just over one minute remaining, the Bearcats pushed toward goal and saw Gorman fire a shot toward the net. It was deflected and appeared to hit a defender's arm. But, a penalty was not whistled, much to the chagrin of the home side. From there, the clock ran out and the match ended in a draw.
// NOTES
- The Bearcats are now 2-0-1 on the season while the Panthers also carry the same record
- The Bearcats remained undefeated in the all-time series with Pitt, improving to 2-0-1
- The goal allowed at 5:59 by the Bearcats marked the first goal conceded this year after having not been scored upon in the previous 326:40 of play going back to last season. Prior to that, the last time UC conceded a goal was at the 69:19 mark of a 2-1 win over Temple in 2016 regular season finale.
- Junior transfer Jill Vetere earned the first start of UC career Thursday night. Vetere, a product of Mason, Ohio, played the previous two seasons at Louisville.
- UC out-shot Pitt, 34-5, in the match and recorded a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats are back on the pitch Sunday in a 1 p.m. meeting with the Hurricanes of Miami (Fla.). The match, UC's fourth in a row at home to open the season, will be held at Gettler Stadium with complimentary admission for all fans.
// 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.