TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team saw its undefeated opening to the 2017 season come to an end Thursday night as the Bearcats dropped a 1-0 decision at LSU inside the LSU Soccer Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. The loss, which halted UC's seven-match undefeated streak, dropped the Bearcats to 6-1-1 on the year while the Tigers remained perfect at 7-0-0.
"We're all disappointed with the result, but even more so with our overall performance," UC Head Coach Neil Stafford said following the match. "Our decision making and execution were poor, but, worst of all, we didn't match their energy over the whole 90 minutes.
"Our players have to play with more confidence," Stafford continued. "We were caught between two minds too often tonight. It's on the players shoulders to perform. We, as coaches, prepare and motivate them and they as players execute.
"This match wasn't lost tonight; it was lost this week in our preparations," Stafford said. "Our attention to detail on and off the field was poor in several facets. As the head coach, I take full responsibility. I will right the ship, speak to the areas that need addressing and then we'll prepare for a difficult conference opener next week. We are on to UCF."
// QUICK NOTES
• The Bearcats slipped to 6-1-1 on the year while the Tigers improved to 7-0-0
• LSU now leads the series, 1-0-0
• The loss halts UC's best start in program history after the Bearcats had opened 6-0-1
• The loss also marked the first time this year the Bearcats had not scored in a match
• UC trailed 1-0 at halftime for the third time this year and is now 1-1-1 in those matches after tying Pittsburgh (2-2) and defeating Northwestern on the road (2-1)
• Vanessa Gilles and Julie Gavorski led the team with three shots each while Sophie Gorman and Katy Couperus had two each
• Madison Less recorded a career-high four saves, surpassing the three she recorded in a 1-0 victory at Northern Kentucky last week
• Both Dee Picou and Riley Gruenbaum earned their first starts of their careers
// FIRST HALF RECAP
LSU jumped out quickly and registered a shot in the opening minute of play before also adding another shot and earning the first corner kick of the evening. From there, however, the Bearcats began to find their legs and drive into the attacking third. The 20' saw UC take its first shot of the night as Jordan Cotleur put one on frame, but it was saved by LSU's keeper, Carol Brockmeir. Two minutes later, UC was back on the attack again with a Katy Couperus shot being saved out of bounds, drawing a corner kick for the visitors. On the ensuing attempt, Taylor Pavlika played the ball into the box where Vanessa Gilles got a head on the ball, but the shot was blocked.
In the 30', Sophie Gorman forced the LSU keeper into a leaping save as the rookie lofted a shot on frame that was tipped over the bar and out of play. From there, LSU got on the front foot again and pushed forward for a shot in the 37' minute that Less saved to keep things scoreless. But, the 44' is where things changed. The Bearcats had the ball and saw Pavlika take a shot that was deflected and immediately played into a counter attack. On the break, the Tigers drove into the box where Alex Thomas one-timed a pass into the net for a 1-0 lead for LSU with just under 90 seconds remaining in the opening half.
// SECOND HALF RECAP
LSU again came out with the first shot of the half, which Less saved, but, from there, UC had more looks. In the 48', Jaycie Brown took a shot that missed just high. Then, in the 51', Gorman tried to connect on a chance and saw it miss high as well. After several back and forth runs from each team and, as the clock wound down, the Bearcats pushed forward for several more attempts. The best, perhaps, came in the 73' as Pavlika played the ball into the area with Gavorski getting free and putting her head to the ball, only to see it miss wide.
UC drew another corner later in the match, but was unable to get a shot off. In the waning moments, Gavorski had another attempt, but it was blocked by the Tigers' defense to preserve the 1-0 score line. Overall, the Bearcats out-shot the Tigers, 15-11, with corner kicks being even at 5-5.
// NEXT MATCH
The conference season opens next week at home with the Florida school set to visit Cincinnati. First, the Bearcats will take on #15 UCF in a 7 p.m. match Thursday, September 21, that will be aired live on the American Digital Network. Then, on Sunday, the Bulls of USF will come to town for a noon start at Gettler Stadium.
// 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.
"We're all disappointed with the result, but even more so with our overall performance," UC Head Coach Neil Stafford said following the match. "Our decision making and execution were poor, but, worst of all, we didn't match their energy over the whole 90 minutes.
"Our players have to play with more confidence," Stafford continued. "We were caught between two minds too often tonight. It's on the players shoulders to perform. We, as coaches, prepare and motivate them and they as players execute.
"This match wasn't lost tonight; it was lost this week in our preparations," Stafford said. "Our attention to detail on and off the field was poor in several facets. As the head coach, I take full responsibility. I will right the ship, speak to the areas that need addressing and then we'll prepare for a difficult conference opener next week. We are on to UCF."
// QUICK NOTES
• The Bearcats slipped to 6-1-1 on the year while the Tigers improved to 7-0-0
• LSU now leads the series, 1-0-0
• The loss halts UC's best start in program history after the Bearcats had opened 6-0-1
• The loss also marked the first time this year the Bearcats had not scored in a match
• UC trailed 1-0 at halftime for the third time this year and is now 1-1-1 in those matches after tying Pittsburgh (2-2) and defeating Northwestern on the road (2-1)
• Vanessa Gilles and Julie Gavorski led the team with three shots each while Sophie Gorman and Katy Couperus had two each
• Madison Less recorded a career-high four saves, surpassing the three she recorded in a 1-0 victory at Northern Kentucky last week
• Both Dee Picou and Riley Gruenbaum earned their first starts of their careers
// FIRST HALF RECAP
LSU jumped out quickly and registered a shot in the opening minute of play before also adding another shot and earning the first corner kick of the evening. From there, however, the Bearcats began to find their legs and drive into the attacking third. The 20' saw UC take its first shot of the night as Jordan Cotleur put one on frame, but it was saved by LSU's keeper, Carol Brockmeir. Two minutes later, UC was back on the attack again with a Katy Couperus shot being saved out of bounds, drawing a corner kick for the visitors. On the ensuing attempt, Taylor Pavlika played the ball into the box where Vanessa Gilles got a head on the ball, but the shot was blocked.
In the 30', Sophie Gorman forced the LSU keeper into a leaping save as the rookie lofted a shot on frame that was tipped over the bar and out of play. From there, LSU got on the front foot again and pushed forward for a shot in the 37' minute that Less saved to keep things scoreless. But, the 44' is where things changed. The Bearcats had the ball and saw Pavlika take a shot that was deflected and immediately played into a counter attack. On the break, the Tigers drove into the box where Alex Thomas one-timed a pass into the net for a 1-0 lead for LSU with just under 90 seconds remaining in the opening half.
// SECOND HALF RECAP
LSU again came out with the first shot of the half, which Less saved, but, from there, UC had more looks. In the 48', Jaycie Brown took a shot that missed just high. Then, in the 51', Gorman tried to connect on a chance and saw it miss high as well. After several back and forth runs from each team and, as the clock wound down, the Bearcats pushed forward for several more attempts. The best, perhaps, came in the 73' as Pavlika played the ball into the area with Gavorski getting free and putting her head to the ball, only to see it miss wide.
UC drew another corner later in the match, but was unable to get a shot off. In the waning moments, Gavorski had another attempt, but it was blocked by the Tigers' defense to preserve the 1-0 score line. Overall, the Bearcats out-shot the Tigers, 15-11, with corner kicks being even at 5-5.
// NEXT MATCH
The conference season opens next week at home with the Florida school set to visit Cincinnati. First, the Bearcats will take on #15 UCF in a 7 p.m. match Thursday, September 21, that will be aired live on the American Digital Network. Then, on Sunday, the Bulls of USF will come to town for a noon start at Gettler Stadium.
// 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.