TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team fell at home for the first time in nearly two years, dropping a 3-0 decision to visiting SMU Thursday night at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati. The loss, which snapped the Bearcats' 18-match home undefeated streak, saw UC fall to 6-5-1 overall and 1-2-0 in the American Athletic Conference while the Mustangs improved to 8-2-1 overall and 3-0-0 in conference action.
// QUICK NOTES
• Cincinnati fell to 6-5-1 overall and 1-2-0 in AAC play while SMU improved to 8-2-1 overall and 3-0-0 in league action
• UC fell to 3-5-2 all-time in its series with SMU and has now dropped three in a row after a pair of 1-0 losses last year
• The Bearcats are now 8-12-5 all-time in their home conference opener and lost for the first time since the 2014 season after winning in 2015 and posting back-to-back 0-0 draws in 2016 and 2017
• The loss snapped UC's 18-match home undefeated streak that dated back to the 2016 season, a streak that ranks second all-time in UC history (23 is the record). The last time the Bearcats lost at home was October 27, 2016, when #19 UConn scored a 2-0 victory.
• Despite the streak being snap, UC still holds an impressive home record under Neil Stafford as the team is 36-7-10 since the start of the 2013 season.
• Jill Vetere registered half of the team's shots on the night, firing three times with two coming on frame
• Madison Less recorded three saves in the match
// CIN 0:1 SMU • 9'
The Mustangs opened the scoring in the 9' with Allie Thornton tallying the goal. The Bearcats turned the ball over just inside the midfield stripe with SMU collecting the ball. Courtney Sebazco carried the ball forward and slipped a pass to Thornton at the top of the box where Thornton hit the ball just under the cross bar for a 1-0 lead.
// CIN 0:2 SMU • 41'
SMU doubled its advantage at 40:56. After a foul was whistled on the Bearcats, the Mustangs lined up for a free kick about 35 yards away from the goal. Celiana Torres took the free kick and shot the ball on goal, sending a high, driving ball on frame that just got over the reach of Less, putting the hosts down 2-0 just before intermission.
// CIN 0:3 SMU • 65'
The Bearcats started to string a few runs together in the second half, but SMU countered before picking up their third of the night. At 64:40, the ball was played into the box where it hit a UC defender in the arm and a penalty was called. Vanessa Valadez took the spot kick and sent a hard shot in the upper 90. Less guessed correctly on the attempt, but the shot was high and fast, just getting over her fingertips.
// CHANCES
UC's best chances to score came in the second half. In the 61', Sydney Kilgore carried the ball down the right flank and sent a cross into the box with Vanessa DiNardo charging toward the back post. DiNardo was wide open, but the pass was punched away at the last second by SMU goalkeeper Catie Brown to prevent a shot on goal. In the 68', Vetere took a free kick and send a low, hard shot on goal that Brown dove and saved. The rebound came to Ying Zhan, but her shot was blocked to end the threat. Finally, in the 88', Vetere took another shot, this time for just outside of the box, but her chip toward the upper 90 was knocked away by Brown.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats will look to rebound from tonight's setback when they play host to Houston (6-6-1/2-1-0) Sunday at 1 p.m. at Gettler Stadium. The Cougars won at ECU Thursday night, scoring a 3-2 victory in double overtime over the Pirates.
// 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
• Cincinnati fell to 6-5-1 overall and 1-2-0 in AAC play while SMU improved to 8-2-1 overall and 3-0-0 in league action
• UC fell to 3-5-2 all-time in its series with SMU and has now dropped three in a row after a pair of 1-0 losses last year
• The Bearcats are now 8-12-5 all-time in their home conference opener and lost for the first time since the 2014 season after winning in 2015 and posting back-to-back 0-0 draws in 2016 and 2017
• The loss snapped UC's 18-match home undefeated streak that dated back to the 2016 season, a streak that ranks second all-time in UC history (23 is the record). The last time the Bearcats lost at home was October 27, 2016, when #19 UConn scored a 2-0 victory.
• Despite the streak being snap, UC still holds an impressive home record under Neil Stafford as the team is 36-7-10 since the start of the 2013 season.
• Jill Vetere registered half of the team's shots on the night, firing three times with two coming on frame
• Madison Less recorded three saves in the match
// CIN 0:1 SMU • 9'
The Mustangs opened the scoring in the 9' with Allie Thornton tallying the goal. The Bearcats turned the ball over just inside the midfield stripe with SMU collecting the ball. Courtney Sebazco carried the ball forward and slipped a pass to Thornton at the top of the box where Thornton hit the ball just under the cross bar for a 1-0 lead.
// CIN 0:2 SMU • 41'
SMU doubled its advantage at 40:56. After a foul was whistled on the Bearcats, the Mustangs lined up for a free kick about 35 yards away from the goal. Celiana Torres took the free kick and shot the ball on goal, sending a high, driving ball on frame that just got over the reach of Less, putting the hosts down 2-0 just before intermission.
// CIN 0:3 SMU • 65'
The Bearcats started to string a few runs together in the second half, but SMU countered before picking up their third of the night. At 64:40, the ball was played into the box where it hit a UC defender in the arm and a penalty was called. Vanessa Valadez took the spot kick and sent a hard shot in the upper 90. Less guessed correctly on the attempt, but the shot was high and fast, just getting over her fingertips.
// CHANCES
UC's best chances to score came in the second half. In the 61', Sydney Kilgore carried the ball down the right flank and sent a cross into the box with Vanessa DiNardo charging toward the back post. DiNardo was wide open, but the pass was punched away at the last second by SMU goalkeeper Catie Brown to prevent a shot on goal. In the 68', Vetere took a free kick and send a low, hard shot on goal that Brown dove and saved. The rebound came to Ying Zhan, but her shot was blocked to end the threat. Finally, in the 88', Vetere took another shot, this time for just outside of the box, but her chip toward the upper 90 was knocked away by Brown.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats will look to rebound from tonight's setback when they play host to Houston (6-6-1/2-1-0) Sunday at 1 p.m. at Gettler Stadium. The Cougars won at ECU Thursday night, scoring a 3-2 victory in double overtime over the Pirates.
// 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.