TicketsHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team kept its hot start rolling Thursday night as the Bearcats scored a 1-0 victory over the Northern Kentucky Norse at NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, Ky., to capture the 2nd Riverboat Rivalry match. The Bearcats, who moved to 5-0-1 on the year, have now equalled the longest undefeated streak to open a season in program history while sending the Norse to their second loss in a row and even their record a 3-3-0 on the year.
Sophie Gorman again played the role of hero as her 39' strike would end up being the game-winner. The score marked her second collegiate goal with both now standing as game-winners after she tallied the lone goal in a season-opening 1-0 defeat of visiting Buffalo. The UC defense did its part as well with Madison Less anchoring the team to its fourth clean sheet of the year.
// QUICK NOTES
• The Bearcats are now 5-0-1 on the season while the Norse slipped to 3-3-0
• UC now leads the all-time series with NKU, 2-0-0, and is 1-0-0 in matches played in Highland Heights, Ky.
• Both matches in the series have ended in a 1-0 score for the Bearcats
• UC entered the match ranked #24 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 25 and is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll
• The win helps UC tie the program record for the longest undefeated streak to open a season, matching the 5-0-1 start of the 2010 squad
• Gorman has now scored two career goals in her time with UC and both are game-winners (1-0 vs. Buffalo in the opener)
• The Bearcats recorded 26 shots marking the third time they have had 25 or more in a match this season
• Julie Gavorski (5) and Jordan Cotleur (4) had as many or more shots than NKU on the night (26-4 in favor of UC)
// FIRST HALF RECAP
Much as they are accustomed to doing, the Bearcats opened the match on the attack and seemed to continue to pressure the hosts throughout the opening 45' of play. UC didn't waste time getting off shots as a point-blank attempt from Cotleur was saved in the 6' before a Vanessa Gilles half-volley blast was knocked away by the NKU keeper.
In the 15', the Bearcats had another pair of attempts in quick succession with both coming off corner kicks. Taylor Pavlika played the first corner in an saw a header from Gilles go on goal, but was deflected out of play for another corner. On the ensuing corner, Pavlika again found Gilles, but her header this time went wide.
In the 33', Gavorski had a chance to give UC the early lead as she turned and fired from the top of the box, but her offering went high. After building a 13-0 lead in shots and sending several more decent chances toward the goal, the Bearcats finally found the back of the net in the 39' thanks to the right foot of Gorman.
With the ball bouncing around in the attacking third, Gorman collected the ball, turned and carried toward the Norse goal. After some fancy footwork, the rookie found an opening, stepped to her right and, a few steps inside the top of the penalty area, ripped a shot into the upper 90 for her second score of the year.
UC ended the first half with a huge 16-1 advantage in shots while also leading the way in corner kicks with a 5-1 lead. Defensively, Madison Less got the starting call in goal and made the one save she was needed to make in the opening stanza.
// SECOND HALF RECAP
The second half developed into a more open affair with both teams making runs deep into opponent territory while UC maintained the better part of possession throughout. The first solid chance for UC came in the 55' as Bri Costigan sent in a curling cross that Gavorski nearly got her foot on, but the shot just missed to the left of the net.
First, in the 73', Gabrielle LoPresti had a shot from distance that was deflected away after the Bearcats pressed high, stole the ball and advanced forward. Then, in the 80', the Bearcats looked to take advantage of a quick restart following a foul as LoPresti received a pass from the free kick and blasted a shot that was saved. One minute later, another turnover was fed to Gavorski who launched a shot from distance only to see it sail just to the right of the frame.
The 84', however, provided perhaps the best chance of the half for the Bearcats. The ball was played in from the wing by Jaycie Brown and was knocked around a bit before Cassie Wheldon put a boot to the ball that the Norse keeper, Emily Lohmann, made a diving save on. Then, Cotleur saw the ball bounce to her where she took aim from near the top of the 6-yard box only to see the NKU defense block the shot and clear the area.
In the 89', with time winding down, NKU had its best chance to equalize as the Norse sent a high ball in off a free kick that was headed on frame, but went high and over to keep the score at 1-0 in favor of the visitors. Less recorded two more saves to bring her total to a career-high three stops after she recorded one each in a victory over Buffalo and a 2-2 draw with Pittsburgh. Tonight was Less' second career clean sheet, tying her with Jane Sensibaugh for the team-lead this season.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats return to action Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. with the Purdue Boilermakers coming to Gettler Stadium. The match will be the final home non-conference match of 2017 for the Bearcats.
// 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.
Sophie Gorman again played the role of hero as her 39' strike would end up being the game-winner. The score marked her second collegiate goal with both now standing as game-winners after she tallied the lone goal in a season-opening 1-0 defeat of visiting Buffalo. The UC defense did its part as well with Madison Less anchoring the team to its fourth clean sheet of the year.
// QUICK NOTES
• The Bearcats are now 5-0-1 on the season while the Norse slipped to 3-3-0
• UC now leads the all-time series with NKU, 2-0-0, and is 1-0-0 in matches played in Highland Heights, Ky.
• Both matches in the series have ended in a 1-0 score for the Bearcats
• UC entered the match ranked #24 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 25 and is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll
• The win helps UC tie the program record for the longest undefeated streak to open a season, matching the 5-0-1 start of the 2010 squad
• Gorman has now scored two career goals in her time with UC and both are game-winners (1-0 vs. Buffalo in the opener)
• The Bearcats recorded 26 shots marking the third time they have had 25 or more in a match this season
• Julie Gavorski (5) and Jordan Cotleur (4) had as many or more shots than NKU on the night (26-4 in favor of UC)
// FIRST HALF RECAP
Much as they are accustomed to doing, the Bearcats opened the match on the attack and seemed to continue to pressure the hosts throughout the opening 45' of play. UC didn't waste time getting off shots as a point-blank attempt from Cotleur was saved in the 6' before a Vanessa Gilles half-volley blast was knocked away by the NKU keeper.
In the 15', the Bearcats had another pair of attempts in quick succession with both coming off corner kicks. Taylor Pavlika played the first corner in an saw a header from Gilles go on goal, but was deflected out of play for another corner. On the ensuing corner, Pavlika again found Gilles, but her header this time went wide.
In the 33', Gavorski had a chance to give UC the early lead as she turned and fired from the top of the box, but her offering went high. After building a 13-0 lead in shots and sending several more decent chances toward the goal, the Bearcats finally found the back of the net in the 39' thanks to the right foot of Gorman.
With the ball bouncing around in the attacking third, Gorman collected the ball, turned and carried toward the Norse goal. After some fancy footwork, the rookie found an opening, stepped to her right and, a few steps inside the top of the penalty area, ripped a shot into the upper 90 for her second score of the year.
UC ended the first half with a huge 16-1 advantage in shots while also leading the way in corner kicks with a 5-1 lead. Defensively, Madison Less got the starting call in goal and made the one save she was needed to make in the opening stanza.
// SECOND HALF RECAP
The second half developed into a more open affair with both teams making runs deep into opponent territory while UC maintained the better part of possession throughout. The first solid chance for UC came in the 55' as Bri Costigan sent in a curling cross that Gavorski nearly got her foot on, but the shot just missed to the left of the net.
First, in the 73', Gabrielle LoPresti had a shot from distance that was deflected away after the Bearcats pressed high, stole the ball and advanced forward. Then, in the 80', the Bearcats looked to take advantage of a quick restart following a foul as LoPresti received a pass from the free kick and blasted a shot that was saved. One minute later, another turnover was fed to Gavorski who launched a shot from distance only to see it sail just to the right of the frame.
The 84', however, provided perhaps the best chance of the half for the Bearcats. The ball was played in from the wing by Jaycie Brown and was knocked around a bit before Cassie Wheldon put a boot to the ball that the Norse keeper, Emily Lohmann, made a diving save on. Then, Cotleur saw the ball bounce to her where she took aim from near the top of the 6-yard box only to see the NKU defense block the shot and clear the area.
In the 89', with time winding down, NKU had its best chance to equalize as the Norse sent a high ball in off a free kick that was headed on frame, but went high and over to keep the score at 1-0 in favor of the visitors. Less recorded two more saves to bring her total to a career-high three stops after she recorded one each in a victory over Buffalo and a 2-2 draw with Pittsburgh. Tonight was Less' second career clean sheet, tying her with Jane Sensibaugh for the team-lead this season.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats return to action Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. with the Purdue Boilermakers coming to Gettler Stadium. The match will be the final home non-conference match of 2017 for the Bearcats.
// 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.