Tickets// THE OPENING WHISTLE
The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team (1-1-0) returns home this week for a pair of matches against regional foes with Wright State (0-1-1) and Northern Kentucky (1-1-0) both visiting Gettler Stadium. First, the Bearcats and Raiders will meet Friday night with the match set to start at the conclusion of the UC men's match against Northern Illinois that is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start. Then, on Sunday, the Bearcats and Norse will meet at 7 p.m. in the third installment of the Riverboat Rivalry.
// DOUBLE DIP
Friday's match with Wright State will be the second match of the night at Gettler Stadium as the Bearcats men will play host to Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. in their first match of the 2018 regular season. The last time the Bearcats played a home doubleheader came on September 17, 2015, with the women tying visiting Long Beach State, 2-2 (2ot), before the men downed Green Bay, 2-0.
// FOLLOW US
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. As always, fans are encouraged to join in the conversation using the hashtag #Bearcats.
// GOING LIVE
All home matches in 2018 will once again be streamed live on GoBearcats.com and, once again this year, will all be free. The link to the stream can be found on the women's soccer schedule page. On the same page, links to live statistics can also be found.
// EXPERIENCE UC
All home matches in 2018 will once again be part of the Experience UC initiative, which is 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, tennis, soccer, swimming & diving and track & field home events.
// QUICK SHOTS
• UC split its opening weekend of matches, defeating EKU (2-1) and falling at #8 Virginia (0-3)
• The Bearcats received 11 votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll this week
• Brandi Thomsen scored her first collegiate goal to push UC to victory over EKU and earned AAC Rookie of the Week honors for her efforts
• Six freshmen have started at least one match so far and seven total have logged minutes
• When UC and Wright State play Friday, it will mark exactly 10 years to the day since the two regional programs have played one another
• Cincinnati is 84-23-6 all-time against schools from Ohio, have won the last two meetings and are undefeated in the last five (4-0-1)
• Need 7: UC is 7 wins shy of 200 home victories in program history following its 2-1 win over EKU
// IN THE RANKINGS
Cincinnati received 11 votes in this week's United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll, marking the first time this season they have been listed among any of the rankings. According this week's rankings, after UC plays host to WSU and NKU this weekend, the next three matches will see the Bearcats face nationally-ranked opponents, including #20 Notre Dame (away), #18 Kansas (home) and #24 Auburn (away). UCF (#23) is the only team ranked in the AAC this week.
// ALMOST OVER THE HILL
The 2018 season marks the 39th varsity campaign for the Bearcats program. Through the first week of action, Cincinnati's all-time record stands at 382-277-61 (.569), including a mark of 193-100-28 at home, leaving the team just seven wins away from the 200-victory milestone.
// QUICK RECAP: OPENING WEEKEND SPLIT
• The Bearcats opened the 2018 season with a split of their first two matches, winning, 2-1, over Eastern Kentucky at home to open the slate before falling on the road to #8 Virginia, 3-0.
• In the opener, the Bearcats fell behind early (9') before a 56 minute lightning delay came at the 14:16 mark. But, in the 64', Kiki Lowell pulled the Bearcats level with a leaping header in the box off a cross from Jill Vetere on a set piece. Then, in the 69', UC took the lead as Brandi Thomsen was on the door step and tipped in a rebound off a Vetere shot. Both teams battled through torrential rain and standing water on the field the rest of the way, limiting the flow of the game.
• On Sunday, the Bearcats took to the road and faced #8 UVA in Charlottesville, Va., falling to the Cavaliers, 3-0. The hosts scored in the 15' before adding a pair of late scores in the 75' and 83'.
// THOMSEN EARNS ROOKIE AWARD
The American Athletic Conference announced its first set of weekly awards with Brandi Thomsen earning the first AAC Rookie of the Week accolade in 2018. Thomsen made her debut in the Eastern Kentucky match, playing 13 minutes in the monsoon the soaked the field. In the 69', she was in the mouth of the goal and got her foot on a loose ball following a save of a Jill Vetere shot, poking the ball into the net to put the Bearcats ahead, 2-1, after they scored the equalizer in the 64'. Thomsen also earned her first career start in the match at #8 Virginia, playing a total of 67 minutes.
// ADDING TO THE HAUL
With her award, Thomsen is the 14th different UC player to garner one of the four major weekly awards from the American while also securing the 30th overall honor. All told, Bearcats players have been named defensive player of the week 16 times, offensive player of the week six times, goalkeeper of the week five times and rookie of the week three times. Last year, five different players earned nine total honors, the most of any season in the AAC, surpassing the eight won in 2016.
// MORE HONORS
Last week, the NCAA announced the conference nominees for the 2018 NCAA Woman of the Year Award with Jordan Cotleur earning one of the 154 nominations from across all three divisions, including one of the 58 NCAA Division I selections. Cotleur, who was one of a record 581 women nominated by schools across the nation this year, is currently pursuing a law degree and will now await word to see if she selected as one of the Top 30 honorees, which will be comprised of 10 women from each of the three NCAA divisions. Those 30 women will be honored at a banquet in Indianapolis on October 28 where the 2018 winner will be announced.
// KNOW THE FOE: WRIGHT STATE
• The Raiders are coming off a 2017 season in which they posted a 12-8-0 overall record and a 6-3-0 mark in league action before advancing to the semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament
• WSU enters this weekend with 0-1-1 record after falling at Louisville, 8-1, in the season opener before rebounding with a 1-1 draw at home against visiting Toledo
• Erin Graefen leads the way in scoring for WSU with three points on one goal and one assist with Aaliyah Patten scoring the team's other goal so far this year
• Maddie Jewell has been in goal for both matches this season, saving 13 shots and allowing nine goals for a 4.05 goals-against average
// NOTING THE SERIES: BEARCATS-RAIDERS
• Cincinnati holds an 8-4-1 advantage in the all-time series with Wright State, although the Raiders have won the last two meetings, including a 3-2 decision in Cincinnati in the last meeting
• The Bearcats are 4-1-0 all-time when the series is played in Cincinnati
• When the two teams meet Friday, it will be 10 years to the day since the last meeting in the series, a match WSU won, 3-2, in Cincinnati on August 24, 2008
• Of the 13 matches played, only five have been decided by one goal or less with UC standing 1-3-1 in those contests and 7-1-0 when the score is decided by two or more goals
// THE LAST TIME • CIN 2:3 WSU
The last time the two teams played was August 24, 2008, with the Raiders leaving Cincinnati with a 3-2 victory. The Bearcats jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the opening 30 minutes of play with Jenn Johannigman (19') and Kendall Loggins (30') scoring for the UC. But, the Raiders came back to tie the match before halftime, scoring goals in the 37' and 42'. In the second half, the offense slowed for both teams with WSU grabbing the winning goal in the 77' as Jess Rooma scored her second of the match, sending the Bearcats to a loss and both teams to 1-1-0 on the young season.
// BEARCATS VS. OHIO
Cincinnati holds an all-time record of 84-23-6 against foes from Ohio and have won the last two matches played against Ohio schools, including a 3-0 win over Youngstown State (9/18/16), which is the most recent match played. The Bearcats, undefeated in their last five matches against the state (4-0-1), have played 16 matches against Ohio foes since UC and Wright State last played (8/24/08) and, since the 2-1 win for the Raiders, the Bearcats have posted a 12-3-1 record against the Buckeye State, recording eight shutouts in those 16 matches while also outscoring its foes, 26-13.
// KNOW THE FOE: NORTHERN KENTUCKY
• The Norse finished 9-6-2 overall last year and posted a 6-1-2 mark in the Horizon League, falling to IUPUI in the conference semifinals after placing second on the league's regular season table
• This year, NKU is 1-1-0 with a season-opening 3-0 win over visiting Indiana State before dropping a 2-1 decision at Murray State
• Emily Soltes, Shawna Zaken, Chloe Mills and Samantha Duwel each lead the team in scoring as all four players have scored one goal so far this season
• Emily Lohmann has played both matches in goal, halting six shots and allowing two goals for a 0.99 goals-against average in the early season
// NOTING THE SERIES: BEARCATS-NORSE
• Cincinnati holds a 2-0-0 record in the Riverboat Rivalry Match has won both contests, 1-0
• Sophie Gorman netted the lone goal in last year's match, the first played at NKU in the series
• In the first meeting in 2016, the match was played at Nippert Stadium with 4,722 fans on hand to watch UC win, 1-0, while setting the record for highest attendance to watch a collegiate women's soccer match in the history of the State of Ohio
// THE LAST TIME • CIN 1:0 NKU
Last year, the two teams met in Highland Heights, Ky., for the first time in the series with the Bearcats taking a 1-0 victory to move to 5-0-1 on the year on their way to a 6-0-1 start, the best in program history. Then freshman Sophie Gorman netted her second game-winning goal of the young season in the 39'. With the ball bouncing around in the attacking third, Gorman collected the ball, turned and carried toward the Norse goal. After some fancy footwork, the rookie found an opening, stepped to her right and, a few steps inside the top of the penalty area, ripped a shot into the upper 90 for her second score of the year.
// HISTORY MADE IN 2016
The last time the two teams met in Cincinnati was historic. Not only was the inaugural Riverboat Rivalry match played, it was also witnessed by 4,722 fans inside Nippert Stadium, breaking the record the largest crowd to watch a women's collegiate soccer match in the history of the state of Ohio, surpassing the 2,079 fans that saw Ohio State face Penn State in 2005 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.
// LIFTING THE LID
Following last week's action, here is how the Bearcats stand in their first matches of a season:
• UC is now 26-12-1 all-time in its first match of a season and, thanks to its 2-1 win over EKU, has now won three season openers in a row
• The Bearcats also improve to 27-10-2 all-time in their first home match of a season and, similar to the season-opener stat, have now won their last three home openers in a row
• With a 3-0 loss at #8 Virginia, the Bearcats fell to 21-15-3 all-time in their first road contest of the season while seeing its two-match road opener streak come to an end as well
// HELLO! MY NAME IS...
Nine true freshmen, one sophomore and a junior transfer make up this year's newest Bearcats. Junior Sydney Kilgore, a native of Cincinnati (Oak Hills HS) joins the program after playing for two years at Indiana while sophomore Ying Zhan, a native of China, is in her first year playing collegiate soccer. The rookies are comprised of four individuals from the Cincinnati area, including Emi Carlo (Lebanon HS), Kiley Keehan (Walnut Hills HS), Madison Lindsay (Lebanon HS) and Annie Metzger (Mason HS), three from the Cleveland area, including Vanessa DiNardo (Strongsville, Ohio), Camryn Hartman (Bay Village, Ohio) and Ally Sidloski (Strongsville, Ohio), and two others from outside of the state, including Wisconsin's Brandi Thomsen (Brookfield) and Massachusetts' Alli Pestaina (Brimfield).
// PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Two of the newcomers earned high honors ahead of joining the Bearcats. Brandi Thomsen twice earned player of the year honors in the state of Wisconsin, including being named the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year and the 2017 Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Player of the Year. Vanessa DiNardo also earned a state honor as she was tabbed as the 2017 Ohio Division I State Player of the Year.
// SAME SCHOOL
While local players joining the program often hail from the same high schools as upperclassmen is nothing new for a collegiate program or, like this year, two sets of two teammates joining the program at the same time (DiNardo/Sidloski from Strongsville and Carlo/Lindsay from Lebanon), the addition of Alli Pestaina to the team brings with it another connection. Before coming to UC, Pestaina, a native of Brimfield, Mass., attended Worcester Academy... the same academy head coach Neil Stafford attended during his prep days.
// WELCOME TO AMERICA!
Throughout the history of the program, the roster has featured several Canadian players with this year's team featuring a trio from north of the border in Claudia Eustaquio, Michelle Travassos and Cassie Wheldon. This year, though, a new country was added to the list with the arrival of Ying Zhan from Shenzhen, China. Along with the American and Canadian players that have appeared on the rosters, only three other nations have been represented in program history, including Ana Farmer of Scotland (2004-06), Alana McShane of Northern Ireland (2013) and now Zhan.
PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// DOUBLE DIGIT WINS
Last year, the Bearcats won 12 matches, marking the fourth year in a row the team has won 10+ in a single season under Stafford. That streak ties for the second-best in program history and leaves the Bearcats one shy of equalling the all-time best. Currently, the four-year streak equals the 1980-83 and 1986-89 squads for second while the 1994-97 teams hold the mark with five in a row.
// CONTINUING TO IMPROVE
Before Stafford took over the program, UC had improved its season win percentage in two-consecutive seasons four times, with the most recent coming in 2000 (.727 from .447) and 2001 (.834 from .727). After the program finished with a win percentage of .250 in 2012 and Stafford came in, the team has raised its win percentage in all five seasons, posting marks of .425 (2013), .550 (2014), .646 (2015), .650 (2016) and .711 (2017).
// SORRY, THE GOAL IS CLOSED
One of the reasons the Bearcats have continued to raise its overall profile has been the outstanding defense it has played. In 2012, UC conceded 39 goals. Since then, that number has gone down every year under Stafford, reaching a miniscule total of 11 allowed in 2017, which tied for the fewest in a season. During that span, UC has allowed 37 (2013), 27 (2014), 22 (2015), 21 (2016) and 11 (2017).
LOOKING BACK AT 2017
// AWARDS HAUL
For the 2017 season, the Bearcats collected 19 weekly awards from the American, including nine major awards and 10 Honor Roll selections. Here is the breakdown:
• Offensive POTW: Julie Gavorski (1), Jaycie Brown (1)
• Defensive POTW: Vanessa Gilles (4), Kiki Lowell (2)
• Goalkeeper OTW: Madison Less (1)
• Honor Roll: Less (3), Sophie Gorman (3), Gavorski (1), Taylor Pavlika (1), Karli Royer (1), Jill Vetere (1)
Following the season, several Bearcats were honored by the league as well:
• Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Vanessa Gilles
• AAC All-Conference: Vanessa Gilles (1), Sophie Gorman (2)
• AAC All-Rookie: Sophie Gorman, Kiki Lowell
// IN THE RPI
During the 2017 season, the Bearcats rose as high as #11 in the RPI data released by the NCAA, the highest ranking they have attained in program history. What is more impressive is where the program had come from. At the end of the 2012 season, Cincinnati's final RPI ranking was #227, meaning that, in the five years Stafford and his staff have guided the program, the Bearcats have clawed their way up 216 positions since the start of the 2013 season.
// BROUGHT HOME THE BAGEL
With the regular season finale - a 1-0 win over ECU - the 2017 Bearcats did something only four other UC squads had done in program history: post an undefeated home record. With the win, UC closed out the home slate with an 8-0-3 record, the first undefeated home slate since 1996. Here is a look at some of the stats and notes following the 8-0-3 record:
• The team's .950 win percentage at home is the third-best in program history behind only the 1982 (7-0-0) and 1984 (5-0-0) teams
• The 8 home wins is a program record, surpassing 10 previous times UC had recorded 7 wins
• The Bearcats posted eight shutouts at home, which ties the 2015 side for the most in a single season in program history
• UC allowed just 0.45 goals per match at home this year, one of only nine campaigns win which the Bearcats allowed one-half of one goal or less
// GORMAN GOALS
To get the 1-0 victory over ECU, Sophie Gorman did her thing and scored in the 42' as a shot was deflected by the defense right to Gorman, who put the ball over the keeper's head and under the crossbar for what would be the winner. What makes that goal even more interesting is that it not only won the game, but also book-ended the regular season with winning goals from Gorman as the freshman scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Buffalo in the season opener before Friday's victorious strike.
// SHARING THE SHEETS
In 2017, the Bearcats recorded 11 shutouts. While that is a strong statistic on its own, what is more impressive is that all four keepers on the roster have contributed to those clean sheets. Madison Less has recorded seven shutouts while Jane Sensibaugh and Claudia Eustaquio have tallied two and 1.5, respectively. Kaleigh Piscioneri joined in with a scoreless second half against Morehead State to pick up a share of a shutout. What does it all mean? It means that UC is the only team in the nation that has four keepers with at least a share of one shutout and also has the Bearcats joining Louisiana Tech as the only schools with three keepers that have tallied at least one full shutout.
// PROTECT THIS HOUSE
Since the start of the 2013 season, the Bearcats have played 48 home matches, posting a 33-6-9 record in that time (.782 win percentage). Including 2017, UC has won at least four home contests each season with eight in 2017, seven wins in 2014 and 2015, six in 2016 and four in 2013. Also, in that time (including home matches in 2018), UC has out-scored its guests, 91-34 (+57).
// FRIENDLY CONFINES
In their first five seasons (including 2017), Stafford and his staff have accumulated 31 home wins, the most of any UC women's soccer coach in his/her first five seasons. Meridy Glenn's teams from 1983 to 1987 won 28 matches and posted a .843 win percentage (28-4-3) in her first five years.
// SUNDAY FUN DAY!
Since Stafford took over the program in time for the 2013 season, the Bearcats have played at home on Sunday 24 times and hold an impressive 21-0-3 record in those matches after posting wins over Boston University, 2-0, Miami (Fla.), 1-0, Purdue, 2-1, and USF, 1-0, and a 0-0 draw with Memphis last weekend. During those 24 matches, the Bearcats have out scored their foes, 50-11, with the UC defense recording 15 clean sheets in that span.
// ACADEMICALLY SOUND
Last year, the Bearcats collectively sported a 3.50 grade-point average for the year and earned a College Team Academic Award from the NSCAA, an award the program has collected each of the past two years and nine times in total. Individually, 28 of the 31 women on the roster recorded a 3.00 GPA or better during the 2017-18 academic year and were named American Athletic Conference All-Academic. Staying the conference, Vanessa Gilles was one of three UC student-athletes to also be named a 2017-18 Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award recipient by the AAC, an award that is give annually to one student-athlete that carries a 3.00 GPA, has strong academic and athletic credentials and serves in the community. Gilles, who was chosen by the Faculty Representatives from around the conference, was the winner for women's soccer.
// UP NEXT
Only one match appears on the schedule next week for the Bearcats as they will travel to play #20 Notre Dame. The match will take place Thursday, August 30, at 7 p.m. at UND's Alumni Stadium and will be aired live online on ACC Network Extra (via ESPN). A link to view the match online, as well as a link to live stats, will be provided in next week's notes and tweets.
The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team (1-1-0) returns home this week for a pair of matches against regional foes with Wright State (0-1-1) and Northern Kentucky (1-1-0) both visiting Gettler Stadium. First, the Bearcats and Raiders will meet Friday night with the match set to start at the conclusion of the UC men's match against Northern Illinois that is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start. Then, on Sunday, the Bearcats and Norse will meet at 7 p.m. in the third installment of the Riverboat Rivalry.
// DOUBLE DIP
Friday's match with Wright State will be the second match of the night at Gettler Stadium as the Bearcats men will play host to Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. in their first match of the 2018 regular season. The last time the Bearcats played a home doubleheader came on September 17, 2015, with the women tying visiting Long Beach State, 2-2 (2ot), before the men downed Green Bay, 2-0.
// FOLLOW US
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. As always, fans are encouraged to join in the conversation using the hashtag #Bearcats.
// GOING LIVE
All home matches in 2018 will once again be streamed live on GoBearcats.com and, once again this year, will all be free. The link to the stream can be found on the women's soccer schedule page. On the same page, links to live statistics can also be found.
// EXPERIENCE UC
All home matches in 2018 will once again be part of the Experience UC initiative, which is 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, tennis, soccer, swimming & diving and track & field home events.
// QUICK SHOTS
• UC split its opening weekend of matches, defeating EKU (2-1) and falling at #8 Virginia (0-3)
• The Bearcats received 11 votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll this week
• Brandi Thomsen scored her first collegiate goal to push UC to victory over EKU and earned AAC Rookie of the Week honors for her efforts
• Six freshmen have started at least one match so far and seven total have logged minutes
• When UC and Wright State play Friday, it will mark exactly 10 years to the day since the two regional programs have played one another
• Cincinnati is 84-23-6 all-time against schools from Ohio, have won the last two meetings and are undefeated in the last five (4-0-1)
• Need 7: UC is 7 wins shy of 200 home victories in program history following its 2-1 win over EKU
// IN THE RANKINGS
Cincinnati received 11 votes in this week's United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll, marking the first time this season they have been listed among any of the rankings. According this week's rankings, after UC plays host to WSU and NKU this weekend, the next three matches will see the Bearcats face nationally-ranked opponents, including #20 Notre Dame (away), #18 Kansas (home) and #24 Auburn (away). UCF (#23) is the only team ranked in the AAC this week.
// ALMOST OVER THE HILL
The 2018 season marks the 39th varsity campaign for the Bearcats program. Through the first week of action, Cincinnati's all-time record stands at 382-277-61 (.569), including a mark of 193-100-28 at home, leaving the team just seven wins away from the 200-victory milestone.
// QUICK RECAP: OPENING WEEKEND SPLIT
• The Bearcats opened the 2018 season with a split of their first two matches, winning, 2-1, over Eastern Kentucky at home to open the slate before falling on the road to #8 Virginia, 3-0.
• In the opener, the Bearcats fell behind early (9') before a 56 minute lightning delay came at the 14:16 mark. But, in the 64', Kiki Lowell pulled the Bearcats level with a leaping header in the box off a cross from Jill Vetere on a set piece. Then, in the 69', UC took the lead as Brandi Thomsen was on the door step and tipped in a rebound off a Vetere shot. Both teams battled through torrential rain and standing water on the field the rest of the way, limiting the flow of the game.
• On Sunday, the Bearcats took to the road and faced #8 UVA in Charlottesville, Va., falling to the Cavaliers, 3-0. The hosts scored in the 15' before adding a pair of late scores in the 75' and 83'.
Congratulations to @BrandiThomsen for being named the @American_WSoc Rookie of the Week!
— Cincinnati W-Soccer (@GoBearcatsWSOC) August 20, 2018
Read all about it 👉 https://t.co/R3mqEyERar#Bearcats | #CultureofExcellence pic.twitter.com/Hg1mEE50dX
// THOMSEN EARNS ROOKIE AWARD
The American Athletic Conference announced its first set of weekly awards with Brandi Thomsen earning the first AAC Rookie of the Week accolade in 2018. Thomsen made her debut in the Eastern Kentucky match, playing 13 minutes in the monsoon the soaked the field. In the 69', she was in the mouth of the goal and got her foot on a loose ball following a save of a Jill Vetere shot, poking the ball into the net to put the Bearcats ahead, 2-1, after they scored the equalizer in the 64'. Thomsen also earned her first career start in the match at #8 Virginia, playing a total of 67 minutes.
// ADDING TO THE HAUL
With her award, Thomsen is the 14th different UC player to garner one of the four major weekly awards from the American while also securing the 30th overall honor. All told, Bearcats players have been named defensive player of the week 16 times, offensive player of the week six times, goalkeeper of the week five times and rookie of the week three times. Last year, five different players earned nine total honors, the most of any season in the AAC, surpassing the eight won in 2016.
// MORE HONORS
Last week, the NCAA announced the conference nominees for the 2018 NCAA Woman of the Year Award with Jordan Cotleur earning one of the 154 nominations from across all three divisions, including one of the 58 NCAA Division I selections. Cotleur, who was one of a record 581 women nominated by schools across the nation this year, is currently pursuing a law degree and will now await word to see if she selected as one of the Top 30 honorees, which will be comprised of 10 women from each of the three NCAA divisions. Those 30 women will be honored at a banquet in Indianapolis on October 28 where the 2018 winner will be announced.
// KNOW THE FOE: WRIGHT STATE
• The Raiders are coming off a 2017 season in which they posted a 12-8-0 overall record and a 6-3-0 mark in league action before advancing to the semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament
• WSU enters this weekend with 0-1-1 record after falling at Louisville, 8-1, in the season opener before rebounding with a 1-1 draw at home against visiting Toledo
• Erin Graefen leads the way in scoring for WSU with three points on one goal and one assist with Aaliyah Patten scoring the team's other goal so far this year
• Maddie Jewell has been in goal for both matches this season, saving 13 shots and allowing nine goals for a 4.05 goals-against average
// NOTING THE SERIES: BEARCATS-RAIDERS
• Cincinnati holds an 8-4-1 advantage in the all-time series with Wright State, although the Raiders have won the last two meetings, including a 3-2 decision in Cincinnati in the last meeting
• The Bearcats are 4-1-0 all-time when the series is played in Cincinnati
• When the two teams meet Friday, it will be 10 years to the day since the last meeting in the series, a match WSU won, 3-2, in Cincinnati on August 24, 2008
• Of the 13 matches played, only five have been decided by one goal or less with UC standing 1-3-1 in those contests and 7-1-0 when the score is decided by two or more goals
// THE LAST TIME • CIN 2:3 WSU
The last time the two teams played was August 24, 2008, with the Raiders leaving Cincinnati with a 3-2 victory. The Bearcats jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the opening 30 minutes of play with Jenn Johannigman (19') and Kendall Loggins (30') scoring for the UC. But, the Raiders came back to tie the match before halftime, scoring goals in the 37' and 42'. In the second half, the offense slowed for both teams with WSU grabbing the winning goal in the 77' as Jess Rooma scored her second of the match, sending the Bearcats to a loss and both teams to 1-1-0 on the young season.
// BEARCATS VS. OHIO
Cincinnati holds an all-time record of 84-23-6 against foes from Ohio and have won the last two matches played against Ohio schools, including a 3-0 win over Youngstown State (9/18/16), which is the most recent match played. The Bearcats, undefeated in their last five matches against the state (4-0-1), have played 16 matches against Ohio foes since UC and Wright State last played (8/24/08) and, since the 2-1 win for the Raiders, the Bearcats have posted a 12-3-1 record against the Buckeye State, recording eight shutouts in those 16 matches while also outscoring its foes, 26-13.
// KNOW THE FOE: NORTHERN KENTUCKY
• The Norse finished 9-6-2 overall last year and posted a 6-1-2 mark in the Horizon League, falling to IUPUI in the conference semifinals after placing second on the league's regular season table
• This year, NKU is 1-1-0 with a season-opening 3-0 win over visiting Indiana State before dropping a 2-1 decision at Murray State
• Emily Soltes, Shawna Zaken, Chloe Mills and Samantha Duwel each lead the team in scoring as all four players have scored one goal so far this season
• Emily Lohmann has played both matches in goal, halting six shots and allowing two goals for a 0.99 goals-against average in the early season
// NOTING THE SERIES: BEARCATS-NORSE
• Cincinnati holds a 2-0-0 record in the Riverboat Rivalry Match has won both contests, 1-0
• Sophie Gorman netted the lone goal in last year's match, the first played at NKU in the series
• In the first meeting in 2016, the match was played at Nippert Stadium with 4,722 fans on hand to watch UC win, 1-0, while setting the record for highest attendance to watch a collegiate women's soccer match in the history of the State of Ohio
// THE LAST TIME • CIN 1:0 NKU
Last year, the two teams met in Highland Heights, Ky., for the first time in the series with the Bearcats taking a 1-0 victory to move to 5-0-1 on the year on their way to a 6-0-1 start, the best in program history. Then freshman Sophie Gorman netted her second game-winning goal of the young season in the 39'. With the ball bouncing around in the attacking third, Gorman collected the ball, turned and carried toward the Norse goal. After some fancy footwork, the rookie found an opening, stepped to her right and, a few steps inside the top of the penalty area, ripped a shot into the upper 90 for her second score of the year.
// HISTORY MADE IN 2016
The last time the two teams met in Cincinnati was historic. Not only was the inaugural Riverboat Rivalry match played, it was also witnessed by 4,722 fans inside Nippert Stadium, breaking the record the largest crowd to watch a women's collegiate soccer match in the history of the state of Ohio, surpassing the 2,079 fans that saw Ohio State face Penn State in 2005 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.
// LIFTING THE LID
Following last week's action, here is how the Bearcats stand in their first matches of a season:
• UC is now 26-12-1 all-time in its first match of a season and, thanks to its 2-1 win over EKU, has now won three season openers in a row
• The Bearcats also improve to 27-10-2 all-time in their first home match of a season and, similar to the season-opener stat, have now won their last three home openers in a row
• With a 3-0 loss at #8 Virginia, the Bearcats fell to 21-15-3 all-time in their first road contest of the season while seeing its two-match road opener streak come to an end as well
// HELLO! MY NAME IS...
Nine true freshmen, one sophomore and a junior transfer make up this year's newest Bearcats. Junior Sydney Kilgore, a native of Cincinnati (Oak Hills HS) joins the program after playing for two years at Indiana while sophomore Ying Zhan, a native of China, is in her first year playing collegiate soccer. The rookies are comprised of four individuals from the Cincinnati area, including Emi Carlo (Lebanon HS), Kiley Keehan (Walnut Hills HS), Madison Lindsay (Lebanon HS) and Annie Metzger (Mason HS), three from the Cleveland area, including Vanessa DiNardo (Strongsville, Ohio), Camryn Hartman (Bay Village, Ohio) and Ally Sidloski (Strongsville, Ohio), and two others from outside of the state, including Wisconsin's Brandi Thomsen (Brookfield) and Massachusetts' Alli Pestaina (Brimfield).
// PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Two of the newcomers earned high honors ahead of joining the Bearcats. Brandi Thomsen twice earned player of the year honors in the state of Wisconsin, including being named the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year and the 2017 Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Player of the Year. Vanessa DiNardo also earned a state honor as she was tabbed as the 2017 Ohio Division I State Player of the Year.
// SAME SCHOOL
While local players joining the program often hail from the same high schools as upperclassmen is nothing new for a collegiate program or, like this year, two sets of two teammates joining the program at the same time (DiNardo/Sidloski from Strongsville and Carlo/Lindsay from Lebanon), the addition of Alli Pestaina to the team brings with it another connection. Before coming to UC, Pestaina, a native of Brimfield, Mass., attended Worcester Academy... the same academy head coach Neil Stafford attended during his prep days.
// WELCOME TO AMERICA!
Throughout the history of the program, the roster has featured several Canadian players with this year's team featuring a trio from north of the border in Claudia Eustaquio, Michelle Travassos and Cassie Wheldon. This year, though, a new country was added to the list with the arrival of Ying Zhan from Shenzhen, China. Along with the American and Canadian players that have appeared on the rosters, only three other nations have been represented in program history, including Ana Farmer of Scotland (2004-06), Alana McShane of Northern Ireland (2013) and now Zhan.
PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// DOUBLE DIGIT WINS
Last year, the Bearcats won 12 matches, marking the fourth year in a row the team has won 10+ in a single season under Stafford. That streak ties for the second-best in program history and leaves the Bearcats one shy of equalling the all-time best. Currently, the four-year streak equals the 1980-83 and 1986-89 squads for second while the 1994-97 teams hold the mark with five in a row.
// CONTINUING TO IMPROVE
Before Stafford took over the program, UC had improved its season win percentage in two-consecutive seasons four times, with the most recent coming in 2000 (.727 from .447) and 2001 (.834 from .727). After the program finished with a win percentage of .250 in 2012 and Stafford came in, the team has raised its win percentage in all five seasons, posting marks of .425 (2013), .550 (2014), .646 (2015), .650 (2016) and .711 (2017).
// SORRY, THE GOAL IS CLOSED
One of the reasons the Bearcats have continued to raise its overall profile has been the outstanding defense it has played. In 2012, UC conceded 39 goals. Since then, that number has gone down every year under Stafford, reaching a miniscule total of 11 allowed in 2017, which tied for the fewest in a season. During that span, UC has allowed 37 (2013), 27 (2014), 22 (2015), 21 (2016) and 11 (2017).
LOOKING BACK AT 2017
// AWARDS HAUL
For the 2017 season, the Bearcats collected 19 weekly awards from the American, including nine major awards and 10 Honor Roll selections. Here is the breakdown:
• Offensive POTW: Julie Gavorski (1), Jaycie Brown (1)
• Defensive POTW: Vanessa Gilles (4), Kiki Lowell (2)
• Goalkeeper OTW: Madison Less (1)
• Honor Roll: Less (3), Sophie Gorman (3), Gavorski (1), Taylor Pavlika (1), Karli Royer (1), Jill Vetere (1)
Following the season, several Bearcats were honored by the league as well:
• Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Vanessa Gilles
• AAC All-Conference: Vanessa Gilles (1), Sophie Gorman (2)
• AAC All-Rookie: Sophie Gorman, Kiki Lowell
// IN THE RPI
During the 2017 season, the Bearcats rose as high as #11 in the RPI data released by the NCAA, the highest ranking they have attained in program history. What is more impressive is where the program had come from. At the end of the 2012 season, Cincinnati's final RPI ranking was #227, meaning that, in the five years Stafford and his staff have guided the program, the Bearcats have clawed their way up 216 positions since the start of the 2013 season.
// BROUGHT HOME THE BAGEL
With the regular season finale - a 1-0 win over ECU - the 2017 Bearcats did something only four other UC squads had done in program history: post an undefeated home record. With the win, UC closed out the home slate with an 8-0-3 record, the first undefeated home slate since 1996. Here is a look at some of the stats and notes following the 8-0-3 record:
• The team's .950 win percentage at home is the third-best in program history behind only the 1982 (7-0-0) and 1984 (5-0-0) teams
• The 8 home wins is a program record, surpassing 10 previous times UC had recorded 7 wins
• The Bearcats posted eight shutouts at home, which ties the 2015 side for the most in a single season in program history
• UC allowed just 0.45 goals per match at home this year, one of only nine campaigns win which the Bearcats allowed one-half of one goal or less
// GORMAN GOALS
To get the 1-0 victory over ECU, Sophie Gorman did her thing and scored in the 42' as a shot was deflected by the defense right to Gorman, who put the ball over the keeper's head and under the crossbar for what would be the winner. What makes that goal even more interesting is that it not only won the game, but also book-ended the regular season with winning goals from Gorman as the freshman scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Buffalo in the season opener before Friday's victorious strike.
// SHARING THE SHEETS
In 2017, the Bearcats recorded 11 shutouts. While that is a strong statistic on its own, what is more impressive is that all four keepers on the roster have contributed to those clean sheets. Madison Less has recorded seven shutouts while Jane Sensibaugh and Claudia Eustaquio have tallied two and 1.5, respectively. Kaleigh Piscioneri joined in with a scoreless second half against Morehead State to pick up a share of a shutout. What does it all mean? It means that UC is the only team in the nation that has four keepers with at least a share of one shutout and also has the Bearcats joining Louisiana Tech as the only schools with three keepers that have tallied at least one full shutout.
// PROTECT THIS HOUSE
Since the start of the 2013 season, the Bearcats have played 48 home matches, posting a 33-6-9 record in that time (.782 win percentage). Including 2017, UC has won at least four home contests each season with eight in 2017, seven wins in 2014 and 2015, six in 2016 and four in 2013. Also, in that time (including home matches in 2018), UC has out-scored its guests, 91-34 (+57).
// FRIENDLY CONFINES
In their first five seasons (including 2017), Stafford and his staff have accumulated 31 home wins, the most of any UC women's soccer coach in his/her first five seasons. Meridy Glenn's teams from 1983 to 1987 won 28 matches and posted a .843 win percentage (28-4-3) in her first five years.
// SUNDAY FUN DAY!
Since Stafford took over the program in time for the 2013 season, the Bearcats have played at home on Sunday 24 times and hold an impressive 21-0-3 record in those matches after posting wins over Boston University, 2-0, Miami (Fla.), 1-0, Purdue, 2-1, and USF, 1-0, and a 0-0 draw with Memphis last weekend. During those 24 matches, the Bearcats have out scored their foes, 50-11, with the UC defense recording 15 clean sheets in that span.
// ACADEMICALLY SOUND
Last year, the Bearcats collectively sported a 3.50 grade-point average for the year and earned a College Team Academic Award from the NSCAA, an award the program has collected each of the past two years and nine times in total. Individually, 28 of the 31 women on the roster recorded a 3.00 GPA or better during the 2017-18 academic year and were named American Athletic Conference All-Academic. Staying the conference, Vanessa Gilles was one of three UC student-athletes to also be named a 2017-18 Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award recipient by the AAC, an award that is give annually to one student-athlete that carries a 3.00 GPA, has strong academic and athletic credentials and serves in the community. Gilles, who was chosen by the Faculty Representatives from around the conference, was the winner for women's soccer.
// UP NEXT
Only one match appears on the schedule next week for the Bearcats as they will travel to play #20 Notre Dame. The match will take place Thursday, August 30, at 7 p.m. at UND's Alumni Stadium and will be aired live online on ACC Network Extra (via ESPN). A link to view the match online, as well as a link to live stats, will be provided in next week's notes and tweets.