TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati men's soccer got a much-needed spark on Wednesday when junior transfer forward Rex Epps (Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork/Army West Point) – in his second game as a Bearcat and first at Gettler Stadium – scored a pair of first-half goals and tallied an assist to lead his team to a 3-1 win over IUPUI.
Epps wasted no time in his first UC (2-7-0, 0-1-0 AAC) start, rebounding an Austin Smythe (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day/Radford) shot in front of the net to score the first goal of the night in the second minute. He then quickly challenged the Jaguars (1-6-2, 1-2 Horizon) back line with his speed, getting past the defense and receiving a beautiful lead ball from Pascal Igl (Hörbranz, Austria, Collegium Bernardi) which he subsequently deposited into the back of the net in a 1v1 situation against the IUPUI goalkeeper in the 10th minute.
Quickly up 2-0, the Red & Black answered a Jaguars score in the 13th minute with again a goal orchestrated by Epps. The forward sent a cross from the near side into the box where Smythe shielded off his man and pushed a header past the keeper to put UC ahead, 3-1, during the 23rd minute. The Bearcats stayed aggressive through the duration of the first half with nine shots, while limiting the Jaguars to only three. As such, UC went into halftime with a comfortable 3-1 advantage.
The Red & Black's intensity continued in the second half with numerous shots, while continuing to stymie the IUPUI offense. As the match grew longer, the Bearcats also had the opportunity to get many of their young players some valuable minutes. In the end, the impact of Epps and Smythe on the offensive side and stout defensive play from a number of UC players was enough to put away the visitors from Indianapolis, 3-1.
In addition to Epps' first five points of the season, Smythe's goal was his second of the year and the assist his first. Goalkeeper Cole Durant (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) was solid between the pipes in his first-career start. For the match, UC totaled 17 shots – including five on goal – and attempted a pair of corner kicks. Furthermore, freshmen Will Lonneman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller) and Zach Powell (Cincinnati, Ohio/Fairfield) each saw their first action as Bearcats.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will continue their homestand on Saturday, Sept. 29, when they welcome American Athletic Conference foe Temple to Gettler Stadium for a 4 p.m. first touch. Admission to the match will be free of charge as part of the season-long Experience UC initiative.
Epps wasted no time in his first UC (2-7-0, 0-1-0 AAC) start, rebounding an Austin Smythe (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day/Radford) shot in front of the net to score the first goal of the night in the second minute. He then quickly challenged the Jaguars (1-6-2, 1-2 Horizon) back line with his speed, getting past the defense and receiving a beautiful lead ball from Pascal Igl (Hörbranz, Austria, Collegium Bernardi) which he subsequently deposited into the back of the net in a 1v1 situation against the IUPUI goalkeeper in the 10th minute.
Quickly up 2-0, the Red & Black answered a Jaguars score in the 13th minute with again a goal orchestrated by Epps. The forward sent a cross from the near side into the box where Smythe shielded off his man and pushed a header past the keeper to put UC ahead, 3-1, during the 23rd minute. The Bearcats stayed aggressive through the duration of the first half with nine shots, while limiting the Jaguars to only three. As such, UC went into halftime with a comfortable 3-1 advantage.
The Red & Black's intensity continued in the second half with numerous shots, while continuing to stymie the IUPUI offense. As the match grew longer, the Bearcats also had the opportunity to get many of their young players some valuable minutes. In the end, the impact of Epps and Smythe on the offensive side and stout defensive play from a number of UC players was enough to put away the visitors from Indianapolis, 3-1.
In addition to Epps' first five points of the season, Smythe's goal was his second of the year and the assist his first. Goalkeeper Cole Durant (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) was solid between the pipes in his first-career start. For the match, UC totaled 17 shots – including five on goal – and attempted a pair of corner kicks. Furthermore, freshmen Will Lonneman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller) and Zach Powell (Cincinnati, Ohio/Fairfield) each saw their first action as Bearcats.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will continue their homestand on Saturday, Sept. 29, when they welcome American Athletic Conference foe Temple to Gettler Stadium for a 4 p.m. first touch. Admission to the match will be free of charge as part of the season-long Experience UC initiative.