TicketsCINCINNATI – On a cold -- and at times snowy -- March evening on the University of Cincinnati campus, the Bearcats men's soccer team battled, but was edged, 1-0, by local, professional side FC Cincinnati in front of a packed house at Gettler Stadium.
UC, in its second match of the 2018 spring season, competed for 90 minutes, but a late first-half goal by FC Cincinnati's Russell Cicerone was the difference.
The Red & Black held the Orange & Blue at bay for much of the opening period, turning away two shots on goal. UC was also able to test the FCC defense with two shots that went off target. The Bearcats seemed poised to go into intermission with the match knotted at zero, but, in the 42nd minute, FCC's Daniel Haber crossed the ball into the box where Cicerone headed the ball home to the near post for the first score of the game.
Facing a 1-0 deficit in the second half, UC was on the attack in search of the equalizer. With redshirt freshman goalkeeper Pearce Skinner (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) now in goal, the Red & Black responded to FCC's offensive advances with attacks of its own.
In the 50th minute, redshirt sophomore Elias Helbig (Denver, Colo./East/Creighton) sent a free kick into the box where freshman Mads Tranberg (Copenhagen, Denmark) just missed finding the back of the net with a header. UC's charge continued in the 71st minute when freshman midfielder Mason Volker (St. Leon, Indiana/East Central) fired a shot from just inside the box that was saved. The Bearcats stayed aggressive when freshman forward Darryn Commissiong (Pickering, Ontario/St. Mary Catholic) got behind the defense, but saw FCC come up with a team save -- after the goalkeeper left his post -- to stave off the equalizer in the 77th minute. Scrambling for the match-tying goal late, the Bearcat were unable to collect the tally, falling, 1-0, in full time.
In total, UC recorded eight shots, including a pair on goal in the second half. In addition, the Red & Black had three corner kicks, but just weren't able to capitalize. The Bearcats defense was solid against the pro squad, allowing just one score on seven shots on goal, including five saves by Skinner in the second period.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will continue their spring season on Saturday, March 31, at Marshall. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
UC, in its second match of the 2018 spring season, competed for 90 minutes, but a late first-half goal by FC Cincinnati's Russell Cicerone was the difference.
The Red & Black held the Orange & Blue at bay for much of the opening period, turning away two shots on goal. UC was also able to test the FCC defense with two shots that went off target. The Bearcats seemed poised to go into intermission with the match knotted at zero, but, in the 42nd minute, FCC's Daniel Haber crossed the ball into the box where Cicerone headed the ball home to the near post for the first score of the game.
Facing a 1-0 deficit in the second half, UC was on the attack in search of the equalizer. With redshirt freshman goalkeeper Pearce Skinner (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) now in goal, the Red & Black responded to FCC's offensive advances with attacks of its own.
In the 50th minute, redshirt sophomore Elias Helbig (Denver, Colo./East/Creighton) sent a free kick into the box where freshman Mads Tranberg (Copenhagen, Denmark) just missed finding the back of the net with a header. UC's charge continued in the 71st minute when freshman midfielder Mason Volker (St. Leon, Indiana/East Central) fired a shot from just inside the box that was saved. The Bearcats stayed aggressive when freshman forward Darryn Commissiong (Pickering, Ontario/St. Mary Catholic) got behind the defense, but saw FCC come up with a team save -- after the goalkeeper left his post -- to stave off the equalizer in the 77th minute. Scrambling for the match-tying goal late, the Bearcat were unable to collect the tally, falling, 1-0, in full time.
In total, UC recorded eight shots, including a pair on goal in the second half. In addition, the Red & Black had three corner kicks, but just weren't able to capitalize. The Bearcats defense was solid against the pro squad, allowing just one score on seven shots on goal, including five saves by Skinner in the second period.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will continue their spring season on Saturday, March 31, at Marshall. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.