TicketsCINCINNATI - Jill Vetere scored with two seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime as the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team battled to the end to secure a 1-1 draw with visiting Houston Sunday afternoon at Gettler Stadium. The draw brought the Bearcats' record to 6-5-2 overall and 1-2-1 in the American Athletic Conference while the Cougars, who played in their second double-overtime match of the week, moved to 6-6-2 (2-1-1).
// QUICK NOTES
• Cincinnati improved to 6-5-2 on the year and 1-2-1 in the AAC (4 points) while Houston moved to 6-6-2 overall and 2-1-1 (7 points)
• UC continues to hold the advantage in the all-time series with a 7-3-2 record, but, since running off six wins in a row, UC has gone 0-1-2 in the last three, including ties in Cincinnati
• With the draw, UC's 'Sunday Fun Day' record moved to 23-0-4 since Neil Stafford took over the program, keeping the Bearcats undefeated in home, Sunday afternoon matches dating back to the start of 2013 with UC having out-scored its foes in that time, 54-13
• Vetere scored her team-leading fourth goal of the campaign, a new single-season high for goals in her career (three in 2017)
• Her goal with two seconds remaining marked the latest regulation goal in the Stafford Era and tied for the second-latest regulation goal in program history (Lisa Huth, at Loyola, 10/10/92)
• Claudia Eustaquio tallied six saves, including two diving stabs late in the match, to help UC to the draw
• Madison Lindsay earned her first career start and played a career-high 79 minutes after playing a then-career-high 46 minutes Thursday and also recorded her first career shot, a header in the box on a corner kick
// CIN 0:1 HOU • 12'
The Cougars scored first with their goal coming in the 12'. After the Bearcats had been on the attack for a good portion of the early going, they had trouble clearing the defensive third with UH forcing a turnover outside the box. There, Mia Brascia collected the ball and moved in on goal, slotting her shot low toward the back post and past Eustaquio, spotting the visitors a 1-0 lead.
// CIN 1:1 HOU • 90'
The Bearcats came out hot in the second half, but were unable to find the back of the net. They continued to push for the equalizer and, as time was running out, found that goal. It all started at 89:18 with Eustaquio sending the goal kick into the middle of the pitch. From there, UC gathered the ball and moved it down the right side where it was knocked out over the end line for a Bearcats corner kick. Dee Picou sent the ensuing corner into the box and saw it bounce around a little before coming out to opposite side of the box. There, Riley Gruenbaum played the ball back into the center of the box where it hit the arm of a UH defender and the official awarding a spot kick with just four seconds remaining on the clock. Vetere was called upon to take the kick, which UH goalkeeper Rachel Estopare blocked. The saved shot however came right back to Vetere, who smashed home the rebound and tied the match with 89:58 showing on the clock.
// HISTORICAL LOOK
Vetere's goal now ranks among the latest scored in program history when looking at goals in regulation. By scoring with two seconds remaining, she tied Lisa Huth for the second-latest regulation goal scored in program history after Huth netted her goal at Loyola on October 10, 1992. The latest goal scored in regulation in UC history came two years later on September 9, 1994, when Paulette Angilecchia scored with one second remaining against Wright State.
In the time Stafford has coached the program (since 2013), Vetere's goal today ranks as the latest in regulation and the fifth-latest overall. The previous record for the latest goal came September 5, 2016, when UC was credited with an own goal from Boston University with eight seconds remaining, sending UC to a 2-1 win.
// NEXT MATCH
UC hits the road next with a trip to play the Florida schools. The Bearcats will face #18 USF Thursday night in Tampa at 7 p.m. in a match that will be aired live on the American Digital Network. Then, the trip comes to a close Sunday at 1 p.m. in Orlando with UC facing UCF.
// 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 improved to 6-5-2 on the year and 1-2-1 in the AAC (4 points) while Houston moved to 6-6-2 overall and 2-1-1 (7 points)
• UC continues to hold the advantage in the all-time series with a 7-3-2 record, but, since running off six wins in a row, UC has gone 0-1-2 in the last three, including ties in Cincinnati
• With the draw, UC's 'Sunday Fun Day' record moved to 23-0-4 since Neil Stafford took over the program, keeping the Bearcats undefeated in home, Sunday afternoon matches dating back to the start of 2013 with UC having out-scored its foes in that time, 54-13
• Vetere scored her team-leading fourth goal of the campaign, a new single-season high for goals in her career (three in 2017)
• Her goal with two seconds remaining marked the latest regulation goal in the Stafford Era and tied for the second-latest regulation goal in program history (Lisa Huth, at Loyola, 10/10/92)
• Claudia Eustaquio tallied six saves, including two diving stabs late in the match, to help UC to the draw
• Madison Lindsay earned her first career start and played a career-high 79 minutes after playing a then-career-high 46 minutes Thursday and also recorded her first career shot, a header in the box on a corner kick
// CIN 0:1 HOU • 12'
The Cougars scored first with their goal coming in the 12'. After the Bearcats had been on the attack for a good portion of the early going, they had trouble clearing the defensive third with UH forcing a turnover outside the box. There, Mia Brascia collected the ball and moved in on goal, slotting her shot low toward the back post and past Eustaquio, spotting the visitors a 1-0 lead.
// CIN 1:1 HOU • 90'
The Bearcats came out hot in the second half, but were unable to find the back of the net. They continued to push for the equalizer and, as time was running out, found that goal. It all started at 89:18 with Eustaquio sending the goal kick into the middle of the pitch. From there, UC gathered the ball and moved it down the right side where it was knocked out over the end line for a Bearcats corner kick. Dee Picou sent the ensuing corner into the box and saw it bounce around a little before coming out to opposite side of the box. There, Riley Gruenbaum played the ball back into the center of the box where it hit the arm of a UH defender and the official awarding a spot kick with just four seconds remaining on the clock. Vetere was called upon to take the kick, which UH goalkeeper Rachel Estopare blocked. The saved shot however came right back to Vetere, who smashed home the rebound and tied the match with 89:58 showing on the clock.
// HISTORICAL LOOK
Vetere's goal now ranks among the latest scored in program history when looking at goals in regulation. By scoring with two seconds remaining, she tied Lisa Huth for the second-latest regulation goal scored in program history after Huth netted her goal at Loyola on October 10, 1992. The latest goal scored in regulation in UC history came two years later on September 9, 1994, when Paulette Angilecchia scored with one second remaining against Wright State.
In the time Stafford has coached the program (since 2013), Vetere's goal today ranks as the latest in regulation and the fifth-latest overall. The previous record for the latest goal came September 5, 2016, when UC was credited with an own goal from Boston University with eight seconds remaining, sending UC to a 2-1 win.
// NEXT MATCH
UC hits the road next with a trip to play the Florida schools. The Bearcats will face #18 USF Thursday night in Tampa at 7 p.m. in a match that will be aired live on the American Digital Network. Then, the trip comes to a close Sunday at 1 p.m. in Orlando with UC facing UCF.
// 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.