TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team opened their 2018 exhibition season with a 3-0 win over visiting Dayton Sunday night in a friendly played at Nippert Stadium on the UC campus. In the match, which was played in three, 30-minute periods, the Bearcats netted a pair of goals in the opening 30 minutes before tacking on one more score in the second for the final margin of victory.
// QUICK NOTES
• The match was the first exhibition contest of the 2018 season for both teams
• The match was played in three, 30-minute periods instead of the two, 45-minute halves
• Sophie Gorman scored the game-winning goal in the 10', picking up where she left off last year as the team's top scorer
• Three newcomers were among the starting 11 for the Bearcats, including Annie Metzger, Camryn Hartman and Kiley Keehan
• Four other newcomers also saw playing time, including DiNardo, who scored the second goal of the match, Brandi Thomsen, Emi Carlo and Ying Zahn
// CINCINNATI 1:0 DAYTON
The Bearcats opened the scoring in the 10' as the winning goal was tallied by Gorman on a flurry of activity in front of the Flyers goal. Karli Royer got the scoring play started as she carried the ball down the flank and sent a curling pass into the box where it was deflected to Gorman, who took a shot on goal only to see it pushed aside by the UD keeper, Kaelyn Johns. The rebound came back to Gorman who again fired on goal only to see Johns once again thwart the attempt. But, the third time was a charm as the ball again caromed to Gorman who calmly slipped a shot into the lower corner of the goal to stake the Bearcats to a 1-0 lead.
// CINCINNATI 2:0 DAYTON
Just before the first intermission, with 27 seconds remaining in the period, the Bearcats added their second goal with rookie DiNardo opening her collegiate account. DiNardo broke free through the middle of the pitch near the midfield circle and collected the ball. From there, she moved past the Flyers defense and carried the ball in on goal as Johns came off her line to try and stop the run. But, the UC rookie deftly slotted home a shot into the side netting to cushion the home advantage.
// CINCINNATI 3:0 DAYTON
The final goal of the match came in the 53' as the Bearcats continued to press forward. The ball was played into the area where a foul was committed by UD and a penalty was awarded to the Bearcats. From there, senior Jill Vetere stepped up to the spot and buried her shot into the back of the net to push UC three goals ahead and end the scoring on the night for both sides.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats return to the pitch one week from tonight as they play host to visiting Illinois in a 1 p.m. contest at Gettler Stadium. Admission will once again be complimentary for the final tune-up of the preseason with parking in Calhoun Garage costing $5.
// 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
• The match was the first exhibition contest of the 2018 season for both teams
• The match was played in three, 30-minute periods instead of the two, 45-minute halves
• Sophie Gorman scored the game-winning goal in the 10', picking up where she left off last year as the team's top scorer
• Three newcomers were among the starting 11 for the Bearcats, including Annie Metzger, Camryn Hartman and Kiley Keehan
• Four other newcomers also saw playing time, including DiNardo, who scored the second goal of the match, Brandi Thomsen, Emi Carlo and Ying Zahn
// CINCINNATI 1:0 DAYTON
The Bearcats opened the scoring in the 10' as the winning goal was tallied by Gorman on a flurry of activity in front of the Flyers goal. Karli Royer got the scoring play started as she carried the ball down the flank and sent a curling pass into the box where it was deflected to Gorman, who took a shot on goal only to see it pushed aside by the UD keeper, Kaelyn Johns. The rebound came back to Gorman who again fired on goal only to see Johns once again thwart the attempt. But, the third time was a charm as the ball again caromed to Gorman who calmly slipped a shot into the lower corner of the goal to stake the Bearcats to a 1-0 lead.
// CINCINNATI 2:0 DAYTON
Just before the first intermission, with 27 seconds remaining in the period, the Bearcats added their second goal with rookie DiNardo opening her collegiate account. DiNardo broke free through the middle of the pitch near the midfield circle and collected the ball. From there, she moved past the Flyers defense and carried the ball in on goal as Johns came off her line to try and stop the run. But, the UC rookie deftly slotted home a shot into the side netting to cushion the home advantage.
// CINCINNATI 3:0 DAYTON
The final goal of the match came in the 53' as the Bearcats continued to press forward. The ball was played into the area where a foul was committed by UD and a penalty was awarded to the Bearcats. From there, senior Jill Vetere stepped up to the spot and buried her shot into the back of the net to push UC three goals ahead and end the scoring on the night for both sides.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats return to the pitch one week from tonight as they play host to visiting Illinois in a 1 p.m. contest at Gettler Stadium. Admission will once again be complimentary for the final tune-up of the preseason with parking in Calhoun Garage costing $5.
// 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.