TicketsCINCINNATI - Rookies Kiki Lowell and Lexie Kolano tallied their first collegiate goals and the defense stood strong once again as the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team collected another road conference win, this time defeating host Temple, 3-0, Sunday afternoon at the Temple Sports Complex in Philadelphia. With the win, UC's third in a row, the Bearcats improved to 9-1-2 overall and 3-0-1 in the American Athletic Conference while the Owls fell to 5-5-1 overall with a 1-1-0 mark in league play.
"I am happy with how we controlled the game today, especially in the first half, which can be difficult to do on the road," Head Coach Neil Stafford said following his team's six-point weekend. "I thought we did well to seize and control large portions of the match and that led to excellent momentum for us. It's great when you're dangerous on set pieces and also during the run of play and I thought we were excellent in both."
Lowell, who also was credited with the game-winner on her deflection of a shot off a corner kick, joined Kolano and Jordan Cotleur in the scoring column to give the Bearcats their first three-goal match since last year's 3-0 home win over Youngstown State (9/18/16) and their first against a league foe since the 2015 season in a 3-0 home win over ECU (10/16/15). The win, coupled with Thursday night's 1-0 victory at UConn, gave the Bearcats their first 2-0-0 road trip in conference play for the first time since the 2002 season when UC, then members of Conference USA, won at Marquette (1-0 in overtime) and at DePaul (2-0). It also marked the first time the Bearcats have defeated the Huskies and Owls in the same week.
"I was excited for our forwards today and was very happy with the distribution from our midfielders," Stafford said. "Jaycie Brown and Sophie Gorman textured a couple of passes that lead to goals for us and that was big. We received contributions from everyone today and that is exciting. It is a great statement to how we are playing together."
A big part of the success the team is enjoying is the play of the defense, which has allowed just five goals all year and none in the past 426:23 of match play, including four matches in a row in conference play. The current streak, the third-longest streak for the program since 2001 and the longest for any Stafford-led team at UC, started after the lone goal to LSU was allowed at 43:37 in the first half of the match on September 14 in Baton Rouge. During that time, Madison Less recorded three shutouts in goal before Eustaquio secured her first with the program and the team's eighth of the year.
"I thought Claudia Eustaquio had a great day, too," Stafford said. "Her attitude has been great this season. She stepped up and took her opportunity and that speaks volumes of her character. I am very proud of her today. And I am also very proud of this program. All 23 players that traveled this weekend played and got us six points and that is a great statement for this program."
// QUICK NOTES
• The Bearcats moved to 9-1-2 overall and 3-0-1 (10 points) in league play on the year while Temple fell to 5-5-1 and 1-1-0 (3 points)
• UC takes the lead in the all-time series with Temple, 3-2-0, and in matches played at Temple, 2-1-0
• With the win, the Bearcats won both matches of a conference road trip for the first time since the 2002 season when UC won at Marquette (1-0 in overtime on October 18) and 2-0 at DePaul (October 20) in Conference USA play
• The win also marks the first time UC has scored three goals in a match since a 3-0 home win to Youngstown State last year (Sept. 18) and the first time with three or more goals in a conference match since a 3-0 home win to ECU in 2015 (Oct. 16)
• The sweep of UConn and Temple marks the first time the Bearcats have defeated both teams in the same weekend
• Kiki Lowell and Lexie Kolano scored their first collegiate goals with Lowell's goal also earning her first game-winner
• With those goals,
• Jordan Cotleur's goal was the first of the year for the junior forward
• Cassie Wheldon and Sophie Gorman each recorded their second assists of the year, remaining tied for the team lead
• Claudia Eustaquio posted three saves in her first action of 2017 and her first action since September 5, 2016, when she helped UC to a 2-1 road win at Boston University
• The Bearcats have not allowed a goal in four AAC matches so far this year and, since a first-half goal by LSU, have not allowed a goal in the past 426:23, the third-longest streak for the program since the start of the 2001 season and the longest under Stafford, surpassing a streak of 364:08 the team recorded during the 2015 season
// FIRST HALF
The Bearcats dominated much of the possession throughout the opening half of play with the Owls not getting a shot off until the 40' with the first offering blocked by Lowell before the rebound was hit high and wide of the frame. UC ended the half with a 4-2 advantage in shots with one finding its mark.
UC drew a corner kick that Taylor Pavlika played to the back post only to see an Owl defender head it out of harms way and over the touch line for another corner kick to the Bearcats. On the ensuing set piece, Pavlika again played it into the box, this time low toward the top of the box where Cassie Wheldon one-timed a shot that went on frame toward the keeper, only to see that ball redirected by Lowell's foot and into the net for a 1-0 lead. The goal was the first scored by Lowell as a collegiate player.
Following the UC goal, both teams had decent chances to add to the scoring, but neither were able to capitalize. In the 34', the Bearcats went on the attack and saw Bailey Korhorn chip a pass over the defense to Jaycie Brown, who tried to flick the ball on frame, but Morgan Basileo, the TU keeper, made the save. Six minutes later, Temple had a shot attempt blocked by the UC defense before the rebound was shot high over the bar and out of play. Finally, with 30 seconds remaining in the half, Brown was back at it again, this time getting in behind the defense and trying to go low, only to see the keeper stop the shot.
// SECOND HALF
UC wasted no time going back on the offensive and drew a corner kick 1:30 into the period. After each team ran up and the down the field several times looking for an opening, the Bearcats finally found one in the 55'. Gorman carried the ball forward and played a beautiful through pass between two defenders and on to the foot of Cotleur who, in stride, dribbled once and fired a low shot toward the back post and into the side netting to double the lead.
Trailing, 2-0, the Owls turned up the pressure as well and started seeing more shot opportunities, but none were hitting their marks as the defense blocked away several attempts and Eustaquio made a pair of saves. Then, in the 76', the Bearcats added another insurance goal, this time off the foot of another freshman as Kolano bagged her first collegiate goal. Brown was once again involved in the build up and chipped a pass over the defense to Kolano who moved in and slid a shot under the rushing keeper and into the netting for a 3-0 lead. With that score, all three goals were the first of the season for each player.
The defense held strong the rest of the way and saw a pair of offerings from the Owls go wide of the mark. When the horn sounded, Eustaquio had three saves and her first shutout with the Bearcats.
// NEXT MATCH
UC will play one match this upcoming week as the Bearcats will welcome Morehead State to town Friday night for a 7 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium. The match also will be Senior Night as the program will honor its six outgoing seniors: Jaycie Brown, Katy Couperus, Lizzie Ehrnfelt, Julie Gavorski, Vanessa Gilles and Taylor Pavlika.
// 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.
"I am happy with how we controlled the game today, especially in the first half, which can be difficult to do on the road," Head Coach Neil Stafford said following his team's six-point weekend. "I thought we did well to seize and control large portions of the match and that led to excellent momentum for us. It's great when you're dangerous on set pieces and also during the run of play and I thought we were excellent in both."
Lowell, who also was credited with the game-winner on her deflection of a shot off a corner kick, joined Kolano and Jordan Cotleur in the scoring column to give the Bearcats their first three-goal match since last year's 3-0 home win over Youngstown State (9/18/16) and their first against a league foe since the 2015 season in a 3-0 home win over ECU (10/16/15). The win, coupled with Thursday night's 1-0 victory at UConn, gave the Bearcats their first 2-0-0 road trip in conference play for the first time since the 2002 season when UC, then members of Conference USA, won at Marquette (1-0 in overtime) and at DePaul (2-0). It also marked the first time the Bearcats have defeated the Huskies and Owls in the same week.
"I was excited for our forwards today and was very happy with the distribution from our midfielders," Stafford said. "Jaycie Brown and Sophie Gorman textured a couple of passes that lead to goals for us and that was big. We received contributions from everyone today and that is exciting. It is a great statement to how we are playing together."
A big part of the success the team is enjoying is the play of the defense, which has allowed just five goals all year and none in the past 426:23 of match play, including four matches in a row in conference play. The current streak, the third-longest streak for the program since 2001 and the longest for any Stafford-led team at UC, started after the lone goal to LSU was allowed at 43:37 in the first half of the match on September 14 in Baton Rouge. During that time, Madison Less recorded three shutouts in goal before Eustaquio secured her first with the program and the team's eighth of the year.
"I thought Claudia Eustaquio had a great day, too," Stafford said. "Her attitude has been great this season. She stepped up and took her opportunity and that speaks volumes of her character. I am very proud of her today. And I am also very proud of this program. All 23 players that traveled this weekend played and got us six points and that is a great statement for this program."
// QUICK NOTES
• The Bearcats moved to 9-1-2 overall and 3-0-1 (10 points) in league play on the year while Temple fell to 5-5-1 and 1-1-0 (3 points)
• UC takes the lead in the all-time series with Temple, 3-2-0, and in matches played at Temple, 2-1-0
• With the win, the Bearcats won both matches of a conference road trip for the first time since the 2002 season when UC won at Marquette (1-0 in overtime on October 18) and 2-0 at DePaul (October 20) in Conference USA play
• The win also marks the first time UC has scored three goals in a match since a 3-0 home win to Youngstown State last year (Sept. 18) and the first time with three or more goals in a conference match since a 3-0 home win to ECU in 2015 (Oct. 16)
• The sweep of UConn and Temple marks the first time the Bearcats have defeated both teams in the same weekend
• Kiki Lowell and Lexie Kolano scored their first collegiate goals with Lowell's goal also earning her first game-winner
• With those goals,
• Jordan Cotleur's goal was the first of the year for the junior forward
• Cassie Wheldon and Sophie Gorman each recorded their second assists of the year, remaining tied for the team lead
• Claudia Eustaquio posted three saves in her first action of 2017 and her first action since September 5, 2016, when she helped UC to a 2-1 road win at Boston University
• The Bearcats have not allowed a goal in four AAC matches so far this year and, since a first-half goal by LSU, have not allowed a goal in the past 426:23, the third-longest streak for the program since the start of the 2001 season and the longest under Stafford, surpassing a streak of 364:08 the team recorded during the 2015 season
// FIRST HALF
The Bearcats dominated much of the possession throughout the opening half of play with the Owls not getting a shot off until the 40' with the first offering blocked by Lowell before the rebound was hit high and wide of the frame. UC ended the half with a 4-2 advantage in shots with one finding its mark.
UC drew a corner kick that Taylor Pavlika played to the back post only to see an Owl defender head it out of harms way and over the touch line for another corner kick to the Bearcats. On the ensuing set piece, Pavlika again played it into the box, this time low toward the top of the box where Cassie Wheldon one-timed a shot that went on frame toward the keeper, only to see that ball redirected by Lowell's foot and into the net for a 1-0 lead. The goal was the first scored by Lowell as a collegiate player.
Following the UC goal, both teams had decent chances to add to the scoring, but neither were able to capitalize. In the 34', the Bearcats went on the attack and saw Bailey Korhorn chip a pass over the defense to Jaycie Brown, who tried to flick the ball on frame, but Morgan Basileo, the TU keeper, made the save. Six minutes later, Temple had a shot attempt blocked by the UC defense before the rebound was shot high over the bar and out of play. Finally, with 30 seconds remaining in the half, Brown was back at it again, this time getting in behind the defense and trying to go low, only to see the keeper stop the shot.
// SECOND HALF
UC wasted no time going back on the offensive and drew a corner kick 1:30 into the period. After each team ran up and the down the field several times looking for an opening, the Bearcats finally found one in the 55'. Gorman carried the ball forward and played a beautiful through pass between two defenders and on to the foot of Cotleur who, in stride, dribbled once and fired a low shot toward the back post and into the side netting to double the lead.
Trailing, 2-0, the Owls turned up the pressure as well and started seeing more shot opportunities, but none were hitting their marks as the defense blocked away several attempts and Eustaquio made a pair of saves. Then, in the 76', the Bearcats added another insurance goal, this time off the foot of another freshman as Kolano bagged her first collegiate goal. Brown was once again involved in the build up and chipped a pass over the defense to Kolano who moved in and slid a shot under the rushing keeper and into the netting for a 3-0 lead. With that score, all three goals were the first of the season for each player.
The defense held strong the rest of the way and saw a pair of offerings from the Owls go wide of the mark. When the horn sounded, Eustaquio had three saves and her first shutout with the Bearcats.
// NEXT MATCH
UC will play one match this upcoming week as the Bearcats will welcome Morehead State to town Friday night for a 7 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium. The match also will be Senior Night as the program will honor its six outgoing seniors: Jaycie Brown, Katy Couperus, Lizzie Ehrnfelt, Julie Gavorski, Vanessa Gilles and Taylor Pavlika.
// 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.