TicketsCINCINNATI - Weather changes, high emotions, what looked to be a winning shot and an end-to-end battle all featured Sunday afternoon at Gettler Stadium as the #21 University of Cincinnati women's soccer team, despite being down a player for much of the match, battled throughout the entire 110 minutes of play to earn a scoreless draw with visiting Memphis. the draw sends the Bearcats' record to 11-1-3 on the year and 4-0-2 in the American Athletic Conference while the Tigers moved to 10-5-2 overall and 4-2-2 in the league. Both sides now have 14 points in conference play and remain in a tie for third on the AAC table behind UCF (16) and USF (15).
The match started with partly sunny skies and a temperature in the mid 70s before a rain system moved through to bring strong wind gusts and a temperature drop into the mid 60s. Despite the conditions, both teams ran up and down the pitch looking to score and pick up three points, instead settling for one each following the draw. UC thought it had scored in the final seconds of regulation, but the referees conferred and did not reverse their call, sending the match into overtime. Through 110 minutes, both keepers had a big hand in the draw as UC's Madison Less recorded a career-high eight stops for her sixth shutout of the year while UM's Elizabeth Moberg halted 10 shots to grab her third clean sheet.
// QUICK NOTES
• The Bearcats moved to 11-1-3 overall and 4-0-2 in the American while Memphis moved to 10-5-2 overall and 4-2-2 in the league
• UC remained undefeated in league play with the draw and remains tied with Memphis for third in the American Athletic standings with UCF (16 points) and USF (15), both of which had their conference bye week this weekend, remained first and second, respectively
• The tie is the first in the 15-match series between the two sides with UC holding the all-time lead, 10-4-1
• UC is now 21-0-3 in Sunday afternoon home matches under Neil Stafford after posting a 4-0-1 record this year in such matches
• Madison Less recorded a career-high eight saves, surpassing the seven she tallied against USF (9/21/17)
• Less also recorded her sixth shutout of the year and the team's 10th of 2017
• With the shutout, UC has allowed just two goals in six conference matches, both of which came to Tulsa Thursday night
• UC played down a woman after Kiki Lowell was shown a red card in the 34'... the last time a UC player was shown a red card was September 24, 2015, when Laura Rose was booked at SMU, a conference match that also saw UC battle to a tie (2-2)
• Despite being down a player, the Bearcats still held the shot advantage at 21-13 while UM led in corners, 8-7
// FIRST HALF
The Bearcats had several chances to score in the first half and got things going in the 12' as Taylor Pavlika played a corner kick short to Karli Royer, who moved in and fired a shot on goal that was saved by Moberg. One minute later, the Tigers had a chance as Jessica Lissi collected a loose ball in the UC box and fired a shot on goal that Less caught for a save.
In the 18', Jaycie Brown tried to get things going as she played a ball to the center of the area for Katy Couperus, who half-volleyed a shot on goal the Moberg had to punch over the crossbar for a save. In the 24', it was Brown once again, this time with a chip shot from outside the box that the UM keeper again had to punch over.
Things took a big turn toward UM's favor in the 34' as Kiki Lowell was whistled for a foul as both teams lined up for a free kick for Memphis. When it was all said and done, the central official showed a straight red card to Lowell, ending the freshman's day on the pitch and forcing the Bearcats to field just 10 players the rest of the way. Despite being down a player, UC responded and continued to not only play strong defense, but also continued to play the ball forward and attack the UM goal, leading, 7-3, in shots through the opening 45 minutes.
// SECOND HALF
UC came out aggressive once again to open the second half with Royer sending a corner kick across the goal to the far post where Vanessa Gilles put her head on the ball only to see the shot saved. In the 67', Julie Gavorski played a well-weighted ball through the defense to a cutting Dee Picou who turned in toward the goal and fired a shot that the Tigers saved as well. In the 73', it was Brown once again, this time seeing her offering go high of the cross bar before she had a half-volley saved early in the 90'.
With the clock winding down, UM's Mikayla Morton was whistled for a yellow card with 12 seconds remaining, giving UC a free kick to the right of the goal about box high. Pavlika took the honors and sent the ball in. After bouncing around several times, the ball came to Brown who fired a shot toward the goal. The ball looked as if it may have crossed the line before a UM defender cleared it away as time expired. The officials conferred and no goal was awarded.
// OVERTIME
With just under two minutes remaining in the first overtime period, Sophie Gorman had a strong chance to end the match as she carried the ball forward and fired a shot on goal that the UM keeper punched away to force a corner kick. With no goal score, the match went into a second overtime session where both teams had great looks. First, UC had its chance with Brown collecting the ball, working through the defense and fired a shot that just missed the frame. Then, with under two minutes remaining, UM got loose down the left side and sent a pass through the box in front of the frame, but the Tigers were unable to get a foot on the pass as the ball rolled wide.
// NEXT MATCH
The final two regular season away matches are up next for the Bearcats as they will pay a visit to the Lone Star State this week. First, the Bearcats will face Houston in an a 11 a.m. local (noon ET) match on Thursday, October 19, before venturing to Dallas to face SMU on Sunday, October 22, in a 1 p.m. local (2 p.m. ET) match with the Mustangs.
// 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.
The match started with partly sunny skies and a temperature in the mid 70s before a rain system moved through to bring strong wind gusts and a temperature drop into the mid 60s. Despite the conditions, both teams ran up and down the pitch looking to score and pick up three points, instead settling for one each following the draw. UC thought it had scored in the final seconds of regulation, but the referees conferred and did not reverse their call, sending the match into overtime. Through 110 minutes, both keepers had a big hand in the draw as UC's Madison Less recorded a career-high eight stops for her sixth shutout of the year while UM's Elizabeth Moberg halted 10 shots to grab her third clean sheet.
// QUICK NOTES
• The Bearcats moved to 11-1-3 overall and 4-0-2 in the American while Memphis moved to 10-5-2 overall and 4-2-2 in the league
• UC remained undefeated in league play with the draw and remains tied with Memphis for third in the American Athletic standings with UCF (16 points) and USF (15), both of which had their conference bye week this weekend, remained first and second, respectively
• The tie is the first in the 15-match series between the two sides with UC holding the all-time lead, 10-4-1
• UC is now 21-0-3 in Sunday afternoon home matches under Neil Stafford after posting a 4-0-1 record this year in such matches
• Madison Less recorded a career-high eight saves, surpassing the seven she tallied against USF (9/21/17)
• Less also recorded her sixth shutout of the year and the team's 10th of 2017
• With the shutout, UC has allowed just two goals in six conference matches, both of which came to Tulsa Thursday night
• UC played down a woman after Kiki Lowell was shown a red card in the 34'... the last time a UC player was shown a red card was September 24, 2015, when Laura Rose was booked at SMU, a conference match that also saw UC battle to a tie (2-2)
• Despite being down a player, the Bearcats still held the shot advantage at 21-13 while UM led in corners, 8-7
// FIRST HALF
The Bearcats had several chances to score in the first half and got things going in the 12' as Taylor Pavlika played a corner kick short to Karli Royer, who moved in and fired a shot on goal that was saved by Moberg. One minute later, the Tigers had a chance as Jessica Lissi collected a loose ball in the UC box and fired a shot on goal that Less caught for a save.
In the 18', Jaycie Brown tried to get things going as she played a ball to the center of the area for Katy Couperus, who half-volleyed a shot on goal the Moberg had to punch over the crossbar for a save. In the 24', it was Brown once again, this time with a chip shot from outside the box that the UM keeper again had to punch over.
Things took a big turn toward UM's favor in the 34' as Kiki Lowell was whistled for a foul as both teams lined up for a free kick for Memphis. When it was all said and done, the central official showed a straight red card to Lowell, ending the freshman's day on the pitch and forcing the Bearcats to field just 10 players the rest of the way. Despite being down a player, UC responded and continued to not only play strong defense, but also continued to play the ball forward and attack the UM goal, leading, 7-3, in shots through the opening 45 minutes.
// SECOND HALF
UC came out aggressive once again to open the second half with Royer sending a corner kick across the goal to the far post where Vanessa Gilles put her head on the ball only to see the shot saved. In the 67', Julie Gavorski played a well-weighted ball through the defense to a cutting Dee Picou who turned in toward the goal and fired a shot that the Tigers saved as well. In the 73', it was Brown once again, this time seeing her offering go high of the cross bar before she had a half-volley saved early in the 90'.
With the clock winding down, UM's Mikayla Morton was whistled for a yellow card with 12 seconds remaining, giving UC a free kick to the right of the goal about box high. Pavlika took the honors and sent the ball in. After bouncing around several times, the ball came to Brown who fired a shot toward the goal. The ball looked as if it may have crossed the line before a UM defender cleared it away as time expired. The officials conferred and no goal was awarded.
// OVERTIME
With just under two minutes remaining in the first overtime period, Sophie Gorman had a strong chance to end the match as she carried the ball forward and fired a shot on goal that the UM keeper punched away to force a corner kick. With no goal score, the match went into a second overtime session where both teams had great looks. First, UC had its chance with Brown collecting the ball, working through the defense and fired a shot that just missed the frame. Then, with under two minutes remaining, UM got loose down the left side and sent a pass through the box in front of the frame, but the Tigers were unable to get a foot on the pass as the ball rolled wide.
// NEXT MATCH
The final two regular season away matches are up next for the Bearcats as they will pay a visit to the Lone Star State this week. First, the Bearcats will face Houston in an a 11 a.m. local (noon ET) match on Thursday, October 19, before venturing to Dallas to face SMU on Sunday, October 22, in a 1 p.m. local (2 p.m. ET) match with the Mustangs.
// 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.