TicketsCINCINNATI - Julie Gavorski converted a penalty kick in the 60' and the defense recorded its third clean sheet of the year as the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team handed visiting Miami (Fla.) its first loss of the season with the Bearcats prevailing, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati. The win pushed the Bearcats to 3-0-1 on the year while the Hurricanes fell to 3-1-0.
// NOTES
- The Bearcats are now 3-0-1 on the season while the Hurricanes slipped to 3-1-0
- The 3-0-1 record is tied for the second-best start in program history behind the 5-0-0 opening in 1980
- UC has opened the year 3-0-1 three previous times, including 2012, 2010 and 1996
- UC is now tied in the all-time series, 1-1-0, and avenges a 2-0 loss at Miami in 2013, the first match Neil Stafford coached UC
- The Bearcats are now 19-0-2 on "Sunday Fun Day" (home Sunday matches under Stafford) and have out-scored their foes, 47-10, in those 21 matches
- The goal allowed by Miami was the first of the year by the Hurricanes
- The match also marks the first time UM has failed to score this year after wins of 6-0, 2-0 and 2-0 to open the campaign
- Freshman GK Jane Sensibaugh made her second career start and has yet to allow a goal while recording four saves
// FIRST HALF RECAP
The Bearcats came out the aggressor in the opening minutes of play and never let up as it took the Hurricanes just over 43 minutes of play before registering their shot of the day. UC had several good attempts on goal with UM keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce saving three shots to keep the hosts off the score board. Jill Vetere has the best chance early on as the keeper turned the ball over with Jordan Cotleur taking the ball and passing to Vetere before her shot was saved.
Karli Royer sent a pass into the box in the 25' and it looked like UC might be able to break the deadlock, but Vetere's header just went high. Jaycie Brown also got in on the action with a rocket from outside, but it just missed to the right to send both teams into the intermission in a scoreless draw. Offensively, UC held a 9-3 lead in shots at the break with the UM shot total being well under its season average (8.3 shots in the first half heading into the match).
// SECOND HALF RECAP
The second half was more of the same for the Bearcats as they came out quickly and nearly took the lead in the first minute of play. On the play, Royer drove down the wing and played a beautiful pass into the center of the box with Gavorski looking to get her head on the pass. But, as she rose to meet the pass, the Hurricane's keeper snagged the ball out of the air to end the threat.
After several strong chances, however, UC finally got its goal. Gavorski received the ball and worked her way into the box where she was tripped up by a UM defender. Initially, the central referee signaled 'play on' but, his assistant on the right wing put his flag in the air and, after conferring with his assistant, the referee pointed to the spot and awarded a penalty kick. Gavorski took the kick and placed into the corner of the net to stake UC to a 1-0 lead with just under 30 minutes to play.
While the Hurricanes found a few more shots in the final 15 minutes of play, the UC defense clamped down and didn't allow a goal for the third time this season. Rookie Jane Sensibaugh got the starting call in goal for the Bearcats and turned in a career-high three saves as the defense in front of her limited UM to just three more shots in the second half. For the match, the Hurricanes were limited to just six shots after entering the match averaging 19.3 per contest. Overall, UC held an 18-6 advantage in shots with 10 different Bearcats recording shots, six of which had two or more. The defense also did not allow a corner kick to UM, leading that category, 2-0.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats have one week off before their next match as they will travel to Evanston, Ill., Sunday, September 3, to take on #23 Northwestern. It will mark the first road match of the year for the Bearcats after opening with four consecutive matches at home.
// 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.
// NOTES
- The Bearcats are now 3-0-1 on the season while the Hurricanes slipped to 3-1-0
- The 3-0-1 record is tied for the second-best start in program history behind the 5-0-0 opening in 1980
- UC has opened the year 3-0-1 three previous times, including 2012, 2010 and 1996
- UC is now tied in the all-time series, 1-1-0, and avenges a 2-0 loss at Miami in 2013, the first match Neil Stafford coached UC
- The Bearcats are now 19-0-2 on "Sunday Fun Day" (home Sunday matches under Stafford) and have out-scored their foes, 47-10, in those 21 matches
- The goal allowed by Miami was the first of the year by the Hurricanes
- The match also marks the first time UM has failed to score this year after wins of 6-0, 2-0 and 2-0 to open the campaign
- Freshman GK Jane Sensibaugh made her second career start and has yet to allow a goal while recording four saves
// FIRST HALF RECAP
The Bearcats came out the aggressor in the opening minutes of play and never let up as it took the Hurricanes just over 43 minutes of play before registering their shot of the day. UC had several good attempts on goal with UM keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce saving three shots to keep the hosts off the score board. Jill Vetere has the best chance early on as the keeper turned the ball over with Jordan Cotleur taking the ball and passing to Vetere before her shot was saved.
Karli Royer sent a pass into the box in the 25' and it looked like UC might be able to break the deadlock, but Vetere's header just went high. Jaycie Brown also got in on the action with a rocket from outside, but it just missed to the right to send both teams into the intermission in a scoreless draw. Offensively, UC held a 9-3 lead in shots at the break with the UM shot total being well under its season average (8.3 shots in the first half heading into the match).
// SECOND HALF RECAP
The second half was more of the same for the Bearcats as they came out quickly and nearly took the lead in the first minute of play. On the play, Royer drove down the wing and played a beautiful pass into the center of the box with Gavorski looking to get her head on the pass. But, as she rose to meet the pass, the Hurricane's keeper snagged the ball out of the air to end the threat.
After several strong chances, however, UC finally got its goal. Gavorski received the ball and worked her way into the box where she was tripped up by a UM defender. Initially, the central referee signaled 'play on' but, his assistant on the right wing put his flag in the air and, after conferring with his assistant, the referee pointed to the spot and awarded a penalty kick. Gavorski took the kick and placed into the corner of the net to stake UC to a 1-0 lead with just under 30 minutes to play.
While the Hurricanes found a few more shots in the final 15 minutes of play, the UC defense clamped down and didn't allow a goal for the third time this season. Rookie Jane Sensibaugh got the starting call in goal for the Bearcats and turned in a career-high three saves as the defense in front of her limited UM to just three more shots in the second half. For the match, the Hurricanes were limited to just six shots after entering the match averaging 19.3 per contest. Overall, UC held an 18-6 advantage in shots with 10 different Bearcats recording shots, six of which had two or more. The defense also did not allow a corner kick to UM, leading that category, 2-0.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats have one week off before their next match as they will travel to Evanston, Ill., Sunday, September 3, to take on #23 Northwestern. It will mark the first road match of the year for the Bearcats after opening with four consecutive matches at home.
// 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.