TicketsCINCINNATI - SMU scored in the 81' of play and the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team was unable to respond as the #21 Bearcats dropped a 1-0 decision in Dallas Sunday afternoon to close out the road portion of their 2017 regular season. The Bearcats, who have dropped two in a row, sit 11-3-3 overall this year and 4-2-2 in the American Athletic Conference while the Mustangs improved to 8-6-3 overall and 3-4-1 in league play.
"This obviously wasn't the weekend we wanted, but we play in a very demanding conference and there are no easy matches, especially this time of the year," Head Coach Neil Stafford said. "We are learning that nothing is promised to you and that all teams, individuals and families go through rough patches. Life isn't fair and sports constantly remind us of that. We've lost two soccer games in a row and we're going to do our best to rectify that. Although this doesn't feel great, I'm happy that what we are experiencing right now will prepare these women for life and what lies ahead for each of them. If this is the worst thing that happens to these fantastic women in life, they will be blessed. We believe in these women and we know they believe in each other. Now, we're on to ECU."
// QUICK NOTES
• The Bearcats slipped to 11-3-3 overall and 4-2-2 (14 points) in the American while SMU improved to 8-6-3 overall and 3-4-1 in the AAC
• The series is now tied at 3-3-2 overall with SMU holding a 3-0-1 mark when the teams play in Dallas
• UC has already clinched a berth into the AAC Tournament with only the sixth and final position up for grabs heading into the final matches of the season Friday
• Following today's results, the highest the Bearcats can finish in the AAC standings next week will be third with a maximum of 17 points while UCF (22) and USF (21) will be the Top 2 seeds in the tournament
• Vanessa Gilles recorded the 80th start of her career, tying Stacey Kyser (1999-02) for eighth on the program's all-time starts list
• The loss for UC today was its first of the year in Sunday matches having entered the day with a 6-0-1 record on the year
// FIRST HALF
Neither was able to find the back of the net in the opening half of play, but each had solid chances along the way. Just four minutes in, UC had the first chance as a long throw in from Taylor Pavlika bounced around and landed at Jaycie Brown's feet, who turned and fired a shot that was saved by SMU's keeper, Catie Brown. It wasn't until the 19' until the hosts got a shot off as a free kick was sent toward the goal, but high over the cross bar.
In the 24', on the second of two-consecutive SMU corner kicks, the ball bounced around and fell to an SMU foot for a shot that Less dove and saved. A rebound shot was hit toward goal where Pavlika kneed the ball out of danger to end the SMU threat. The Bearcats then moved down the field where Katy Couperus took a shot from the top of the box, only to see it deflected away by a defender.
In the 31', SMU had another solid chance as Hannah Fleet was just inside the six-yard box and redirected a loose ball on goal where Less made a great sliding play to catch the shot and keep things scoreless. In the 35', UC took a corner kick with Pavlika playing the ball to Couperus, who immediately lofted a pass into the area where Julie Gavorski rose above the defense and headed it toward the far post, only to see the ball roll just wide of frame and out of bounds.
// SECOND HALF
It was much of the same for the Bearcats in the second stanza as they were unable to get a dangerous shot on frame. In the 65', Sophie Gorman collected the ball and moved toward the box before letting a shot fly that was snuffed by the Mustang keeper. But, in the 75', UC had one of its better chances as the ball was played through the defense to Gabrielle LoPresti, who rushed toward the goal and looked to free a shot on goal, but was sandwiched inside the box by two defenders and unable to connect on the ball.
Going the other way in the 81', SMU worked the ball down the sideline before Allie Thornton crossed a ball into the box from the end line with Less punching the ball up and off the cross bar. But, when the ball came down, UC was unable to clear the line as Katia Novi was there and hit the ball into the net for a 1-0 SMU lead with under 10 minutes to play.
The Bearcats tried to respond and had a good look minutes later as Pavlika played a ball into the 18 where Vanessa Gilles tried to volley the pass out of the air, but her touch was too much and sent the shot over the cross bar. In the 84', Pavlika took a corner kick and, after it was deflected in the box, the ball came to Cassie Wheldon, who hit a shot that Brown dove and save. Finally, in the 85', Dee Picou had a shot at the goal, but was bumped while shooting and unable to fully connect as the shot was saved.
For the match, Less finished with four saves. SMU held an 11-8 advantage in shots while UC led in corner kicks, 3-2.
// NEXT MATCH
The regular season finale awaits the Bearcats Friday night as they play host to ECU in a 7 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium. All 10 teams in the conference will be playing at the same time on the final match day that will help decide the Top 6 teams, which also will be the six teams that qualify for the AAC Tournament.
// 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.
"This obviously wasn't the weekend we wanted, but we play in a very demanding conference and there are no easy matches, especially this time of the year," Head Coach Neil Stafford said. "We are learning that nothing is promised to you and that all teams, individuals and families go through rough patches. Life isn't fair and sports constantly remind us of that. We've lost two soccer games in a row and we're going to do our best to rectify that. Although this doesn't feel great, I'm happy that what we are experiencing right now will prepare these women for life and what lies ahead for each of them. If this is the worst thing that happens to these fantastic women in life, they will be blessed. We believe in these women and we know they believe in each other. Now, we're on to ECU."
// QUICK NOTES
• The Bearcats slipped to 11-3-3 overall and 4-2-2 (14 points) in the American while SMU improved to 8-6-3 overall and 3-4-1 in the AAC
• The series is now tied at 3-3-2 overall with SMU holding a 3-0-1 mark when the teams play in Dallas
• UC has already clinched a berth into the AAC Tournament with only the sixth and final position up for grabs heading into the final matches of the season Friday
• Following today's results, the highest the Bearcats can finish in the AAC standings next week will be third with a maximum of 17 points while UCF (22) and USF (21) will be the Top 2 seeds in the tournament
• Vanessa Gilles recorded the 80th start of her career, tying Stacey Kyser (1999-02) for eighth on the program's all-time starts list
• The loss for UC today was its first of the year in Sunday matches having entered the day with a 6-0-1 record on the year
// FIRST HALF
Neither was able to find the back of the net in the opening half of play, but each had solid chances along the way. Just four minutes in, UC had the first chance as a long throw in from Taylor Pavlika bounced around and landed at Jaycie Brown's feet, who turned and fired a shot that was saved by SMU's keeper, Catie Brown. It wasn't until the 19' until the hosts got a shot off as a free kick was sent toward the goal, but high over the cross bar.
In the 24', on the second of two-consecutive SMU corner kicks, the ball bounced around and fell to an SMU foot for a shot that Less dove and saved. A rebound shot was hit toward goal where Pavlika kneed the ball out of danger to end the SMU threat. The Bearcats then moved down the field where Katy Couperus took a shot from the top of the box, only to see it deflected away by a defender.
In the 31', SMU had another solid chance as Hannah Fleet was just inside the six-yard box and redirected a loose ball on goal where Less made a great sliding play to catch the shot and keep things scoreless. In the 35', UC took a corner kick with Pavlika playing the ball to Couperus, who immediately lofted a pass into the area where Julie Gavorski rose above the defense and headed it toward the far post, only to see the ball roll just wide of frame and out of bounds.
// SECOND HALF
It was much of the same for the Bearcats in the second stanza as they were unable to get a dangerous shot on frame. In the 65', Sophie Gorman collected the ball and moved toward the box before letting a shot fly that was snuffed by the Mustang keeper. But, in the 75', UC had one of its better chances as the ball was played through the defense to Gabrielle LoPresti, who rushed toward the goal and looked to free a shot on goal, but was sandwiched inside the box by two defenders and unable to connect on the ball.
Going the other way in the 81', SMU worked the ball down the sideline before Allie Thornton crossed a ball into the box from the end line with Less punching the ball up and off the cross bar. But, when the ball came down, UC was unable to clear the line as Katia Novi was there and hit the ball into the net for a 1-0 SMU lead with under 10 minutes to play.
The Bearcats tried to respond and had a good look minutes later as Pavlika played a ball into the 18 where Vanessa Gilles tried to volley the pass out of the air, but her touch was too much and sent the shot over the cross bar. In the 84', Pavlika took a corner kick and, after it was deflected in the box, the ball came to Cassie Wheldon, who hit a shot that Brown dove and save. Finally, in the 85', Dee Picou had a shot at the goal, but was bumped while shooting and unable to fully connect as the shot was saved.
For the match, Less finished with four saves. SMU held an 11-8 advantage in shots while UC led in corner kicks, 3-2.
// NEXT MATCH
The regular season finale awaits the Bearcats Friday night as they play host to ECU in a 7 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium. All 10 teams in the conference will be playing at the same time on the final match day that will help decide the Top 6 teams, which also will be the six teams that qualify for the AAC Tournament.
// 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.