TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team fell for the first in the 2018 season as #8 Virginia handed the Bearcats a 3-0 loss at Klöckner Stadium Sunday evening in Charlottesville, Va. With the loss, the Bearcats slipped to 1-1-0 on the young season while the host Cavaliers improved to 2-0-0.
// QUICK NOTES
• With the loss, the Bearcats slipped to 1-1-0 on the season while the Cavaliers improved to 2-0-0
• UC is now 0-7-1 all-time against UVa
• The Bearcats slipped to 21-15-3 in their first road contest of the season and saw their two-match win streak in such contests end as well
• Sydney Kilgore led the team with three shots in the match, including two on goal, which equals her career-high for a match after she fired three last year (August 24) for Indiana against Louisville
• Claudia Eustaquio posted four saves in goal for the Bearcats in her second start of the season after having played just once in 2017
• Four true freshmen earned a spot in the Starting XI at Virginia with three of those individuals earning their first collegiate starts, including Brandi Thomsen, Kiley Keehan and Emi Carlo (Camryn Hartman earned her second start in a row)... fellow freshman Alli Pestaina made her UC debut, logging 12 minutes in the match
// QUOTING STAFFORD
"I was pleased with how we prepared for UVA," Head Coach Neil Stafford said following the match. "There were a lot of positives for the first road trip of the year but, unfortunately, when it came time to implementing those strategies, we froze. Our mentality was not of strength and fight, but rather that of being overwhelmed. We showed UVA way too much respect and failed to compete mentally and physically. This is completely unacceptable based on the standards we have set within this program over the last several years.
As good as UVA are, our players struggled to control the narrative in their own heads regarding their lack of belief and building up the quality of the opponent. We fought two battles on that field today: UVA and ourselves. If you can't control that negative voice inside your head, then you are going to struggle to compete with a team as talented and as hard working as UVA.
That being said, I think this was a great lesson for the program. We managed to press them a bit, did well to get in behind them a few times, which created a couple of scoring chances, but it certainly wasn't enough on the day. Our young players will mature from this experience and we will be stronger for it. I have an unwavering belief in these players' abilities and their desire to learn is evident. (We are) just going to be patient as the season moves forward and we'll take it one match at a time. We're on to Wright State now."
// CINCINNATI 0:1 VIRGINIA
UVa took the lead in the 15' with Taryn Torres netting what would be the eventual winner on a looping shot from the top of the box. The Bearcats had trouble clearing the area with Eustaquio sliding out to try and smother the ball, only to see it tipped away from her arms toward the top of the box where Torres was waiting. With Eustaquio knocked down in the collision, Torres chipped a shot that dipped just under the bar and over Bri Costigan, who retreated to the goal line and jumped, looking to head the ball away.
// CINCINNATI 0:2 VIRGINIA
After taking the match to halftime trailing by one (1-0), the Bearcats continued to play strong defensively, thwarting several UVa chances in the second stanza. In the 75', however, the Cavaliers extended their lead as Ayan Adu stole the ball from Costigan at the top of the box, moved in on goal and went 1v1 against Eustaquio, slotting her shot just past the Bearcats keeper to double the hosts' advantage.
// CINCINNATI 0:3 VIRGINIA
After a pair of solid chances from by the UC offense, the Cavaliers found their third and final goal on the counter attack with the score coming in the 83'. UVa broke out and the ball was played ahead to Rebecca Jarrett, who carried the ball toward the box, cut back and ripped a shot into the lower corner for the score.
// BEST CHANCES FOR CINCINNATI
The Bearcats had several good looks at goal in the match, but were unable to finish their chances. Perhaps the best two chances came late in the second half with Kilgore looking to finish both. First, in the 77', the Cavaliers turned the ball over with Jill Vetere collecting the loose ball and moving on goal where she played a ball through the back line to Kilgore, who charged in and took a shot that was saved by UVa's keeper. Then, in the 81', UC earned a corner kick with Cassie Wheldon sending the ball into the area. After the ball kicked around a few times, it settled in front of Kilgore who poked a shot toward goal, only to see it saved once again.
// FIRST OF THEIR CAREERS
A trio of freshmen were inserted into the starting line up for the first time in their young UC careers. The group included Brandi Thomsen, Kiley Keehan and Emi Carlo, all of whom played in the season opener Thursday night as well.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats return home for a pair of matches with regional foes this week, starting Friday night at Gettler Stadium when Wright State comes calling in the second match of a men's-women's doubleheader. The men open their season at 6 p.m. against visiting Northern Illinois before the women face the Raiders with an approximate starting time of 8 p.m. Then, on Sunday, the third installment of the Riverboat Rivalry will be contested as the Norse of Northern Kentucky will cross the river for a 7 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium.
// 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 lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming & diving and track & field home events.
// QUICK NOTES
• With the loss, the Bearcats slipped to 1-1-0 on the season while the Cavaliers improved to 2-0-0
• UC is now 0-7-1 all-time against UVa
• The Bearcats slipped to 21-15-3 in their first road contest of the season and saw their two-match win streak in such contests end as well
• Sydney Kilgore led the team with three shots in the match, including two on goal, which equals her career-high for a match after she fired three last year (August 24) for Indiana against Louisville
• Claudia Eustaquio posted four saves in goal for the Bearcats in her second start of the season after having played just once in 2017
• Four true freshmen earned a spot in the Starting XI at Virginia with three of those individuals earning their first collegiate starts, including Brandi Thomsen, Kiley Keehan and Emi Carlo (Camryn Hartman earned her second start in a row)... fellow freshman Alli Pestaina made her UC debut, logging 12 minutes in the match
// QUOTING STAFFORD
"I was pleased with how we prepared for UVA," Head Coach Neil Stafford said following the match. "There were a lot of positives for the first road trip of the year but, unfortunately, when it came time to implementing those strategies, we froze. Our mentality was not of strength and fight, but rather that of being overwhelmed. We showed UVA way too much respect and failed to compete mentally and physically. This is completely unacceptable based on the standards we have set within this program over the last several years.
As good as UVA are, our players struggled to control the narrative in their own heads regarding their lack of belief and building up the quality of the opponent. We fought two battles on that field today: UVA and ourselves. If you can't control that negative voice inside your head, then you are going to struggle to compete with a team as talented and as hard working as UVA.
That being said, I think this was a great lesson for the program. We managed to press them a bit, did well to get in behind them a few times, which created a couple of scoring chances, but it certainly wasn't enough on the day. Our young players will mature from this experience and we will be stronger for it. I have an unwavering belief in these players' abilities and their desire to learn is evident. (We are) just going to be patient as the season moves forward and we'll take it one match at a time. We're on to Wright State now."
// CINCINNATI 0:1 VIRGINIA
UVa took the lead in the 15' with Taryn Torres netting what would be the eventual winner on a looping shot from the top of the box. The Bearcats had trouble clearing the area with Eustaquio sliding out to try and smother the ball, only to see it tipped away from her arms toward the top of the box where Torres was waiting. With Eustaquio knocked down in the collision, Torres chipped a shot that dipped just under the bar and over Bri Costigan, who retreated to the goal line and jumped, looking to head the ball away.
// CINCINNATI 0:2 VIRGINIA
After taking the match to halftime trailing by one (1-0), the Bearcats continued to play strong defensively, thwarting several UVa chances in the second stanza. In the 75', however, the Cavaliers extended their lead as Ayan Adu stole the ball from Costigan at the top of the box, moved in on goal and went 1v1 against Eustaquio, slotting her shot just past the Bearcats keeper to double the hosts' advantage.
// CINCINNATI 0:3 VIRGINIA
After a pair of solid chances from by the UC offense, the Cavaliers found their third and final goal on the counter attack with the score coming in the 83'. UVa broke out and the ball was played ahead to Rebecca Jarrett, who carried the ball toward the box, cut back and ripped a shot into the lower corner for the score.
// BEST CHANCES FOR CINCINNATI
The Bearcats had several good looks at goal in the match, but were unable to finish their chances. Perhaps the best two chances came late in the second half with Kilgore looking to finish both. First, in the 77', the Cavaliers turned the ball over with Jill Vetere collecting the loose ball and moving on goal where she played a ball through the back line to Kilgore, who charged in and took a shot that was saved by UVa's keeper. Then, in the 81', UC earned a corner kick with Cassie Wheldon sending the ball into the area. After the ball kicked around a few times, it settled in front of Kilgore who poked a shot toward goal, only to see it saved once again.
// FIRST OF THEIR CAREERS
A trio of freshmen were inserted into the starting line up for the first time in their young UC careers. The group included Brandi Thomsen, Kiley Keehan and Emi Carlo, all of whom played in the season opener Thursday night as well.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats return home for a pair of matches with regional foes this week, starting Friday night at Gettler Stadium when Wright State comes calling in the second match of a men's-women's doubleheader. The men open their season at 6 p.m. against visiting Northern Illinois before the women face the Raiders with an approximate starting time of 8 p.m. Then, on Sunday, the third installment of the Riverboat Rivalry will be contested as the Norse of Northern Kentucky will cross the river for a 7 p.m. match at Gettler Stadium.
// 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 lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming & diving and track & field home events.