TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team put up a strong challenge and battled to the end, but Bri Costigan's first career goal and a career night in goal from Madison Less were not enough as the Bearcats dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision at USF Thursday night in Tampa, Fla. The Bearcats, who trailed, 2-0, in the 75', nearly completed the come back in the waning seconds, but fell in the end to 6-6-2 overall and 1-3-1 in the American Athletic Conference while the rv/#25 Bulls moved to 7-2-0 and 2-1-0 in the AAC.
// QUICK NOTES
• Cincinnati fell to 6-6-2 overall and 1-3-1 in the American while USF moved to 7-2-0 and 2-1-0 in the league
• USF entered the match receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 and were ranked #25 in the Top Drawer Soccer rankings
• With the result, the all-time series is now tied at 11-11-4 with the Bulls leading in Tampa, 8-3-1
• The loss snapped UC's five-match undefeated streak against USF after having gone 2-0-3 in the last five meetings
• Costigan's goal is the first of her career, giving her three points on the season after she entered the year with just one point, an assist in her rookie campaign of 2016
• Costigan is the ninth different Bearcat to score at least one goal this year and the sixth to record at least one goal and one assist in 2018
• Less recorded 10 saves, including six in the opening half, to record a career-high, surpassing the eight she recorded twice, most recently against LSU (9/16/18)
// STAFFORD'S STANCE
"It was an exciting game to be involved with as a player and as a coach," Head Coach Neil Stafford said following the match. "Unfortunately, we were on the wrong end of the result tonight. I was really proud of the team's collective effort and the mentality of the players was everything it needed to be. We played a good attacking side that can give you problems and I thought with our shape, discipline and physicality, we managed the game well. It's always difficult giving away a set piece goal and, unfortunately, we allowed them to breathe a sigh of relief when we did. We created a lot of opportunities and combined well with effective movement. We were effective in getting in behind and in between their lines creating issues for them defensively. Unfortunately, we didn't finish some of those movements.
"We've got a fantastic project going on this year and we've had some struggles. It's important to see the big picture in what we're building with a very talented group of players. Our mentality has been off in a couple of games this season, but tonight it was excellent. If we bring that to every match we play, our growth as young student-athletes can only go in one direction. We will be fine as a program and these players are learning some great life lessons this year. All the players from the freshmen to the seniors will be better for it, and all for different reasons. We're looking forward to another opportunity on Sunday with UCF."
// CIN 0:1 USF • 69'
After a first half that saw the Bulls hold a 13-3 advantage in shots, but neither team able to score, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 69' after UC had a better run of play to open the second half. The play was set up as a battle for the ball ensued near the touch line with the Bulls earning a free kick. Andrea Hauksdottir took the free kick and sent a bending ball into the box where Bri Blethen ran under it near the back post and headed it home for a 1-0 lead.
// CIN 0:2 USF • 73'
Just four minutes later, the Bulls struck again, this time off the foot of the nation's leading scorer, Eveleyn Viens. On the play, Viens collected the ball near the top of the box, worked free and fired her shot into the upper 90, just out of the reach of Less' diving save attempt to double to advantage.
// CIN 1:2 USF • 77'
The Bearcats did not back down, however, and pulled one back four minutes later. It all began with the defense clearing the ball toward midfield and Sydney Kilgore playing the ball to Vanessa DiNardo, who was streaking forward. DiNardo worked her way into the box and looked to go 1v1 with the keeper, but was tripped from behind, earning a penalty kick for the visitors. Costigan stepped up to take the spot kick and played a beautiful shot into the lower left corner, just past the diving attempt of USF keeper Sydney Martinez to make it 2-1.
// SO CLOSE
Two years ago, the Bearcats found themselves trailing, 2-1, with less than one minute left before Jaycie Brown scored the equalizer with 51 seconds remaining in regulation for an eventual 2-2 draw. It looked as if UC was headed to a similar finish tonight as it earned a corner kick at 89:10. On the play, Cassie Wheldon looped a pass into the box that went over the entire defense to Jill Vetere, who beat the keeper with her shot, only to see the ball cleared off the line by the USF defense, ending the threat and the match.
// FIRST FOR BRI
Heading into the match, Costigan had two points to her credit with the most recent addition an assist against LSU earlier this year. That assist was her first point since the 2016 season. Tonight, she recorded her first collegiate goal, broke her career high for points in a match with two and became the ninth different UC player to record a goal this year. Added to that, Costigan is now the sixth Bearcats player this year to record at least one goal and one assist.
// LESS WITH MORE
Despite the loss, Less had an outstanding night in the goal as the sophomore keeper turned away a career-high 10 shots. Less entered the match with a career-high eight saves that she had recorded twice before, most recently in the match with LSU (9/16/18). She had recorded six saves by halftime before tallying five more in the second half.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats' trip through the Sunshine State concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. as UC will venture to Orlando, Fla., to face the Knights at the UCF Soccer Complex.
// 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 6-6-2 overall and 1-3-1 in the American while USF moved to 7-2-0 and 2-1-0 in the league
• USF entered the match receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 and were ranked #25 in the Top Drawer Soccer rankings
• With the result, the all-time series is now tied at 11-11-4 with the Bulls leading in Tampa, 8-3-1
• The loss snapped UC's five-match undefeated streak against USF after having gone 2-0-3 in the last five meetings
• Costigan's goal is the first of her career, giving her three points on the season after she entered the year with just one point, an assist in her rookie campaign of 2016
• Costigan is the ninth different Bearcat to score at least one goal this year and the sixth to record at least one goal and one assist in 2018
• Less recorded 10 saves, including six in the opening half, to record a career-high, surpassing the eight she recorded twice, most recently against LSU (9/16/18)
// STAFFORD'S STANCE
"It was an exciting game to be involved with as a player and as a coach," Head Coach Neil Stafford said following the match. "Unfortunately, we were on the wrong end of the result tonight. I was really proud of the team's collective effort and the mentality of the players was everything it needed to be. We played a good attacking side that can give you problems and I thought with our shape, discipline and physicality, we managed the game well. It's always difficult giving away a set piece goal and, unfortunately, we allowed them to breathe a sigh of relief when we did. We created a lot of opportunities and combined well with effective movement. We were effective in getting in behind and in between their lines creating issues for them defensively. Unfortunately, we didn't finish some of those movements.
"We've got a fantastic project going on this year and we've had some struggles. It's important to see the big picture in what we're building with a very talented group of players. Our mentality has been off in a couple of games this season, but tonight it was excellent. If we bring that to every match we play, our growth as young student-athletes can only go in one direction. We will be fine as a program and these players are learning some great life lessons this year. All the players from the freshmen to the seniors will be better for it, and all for different reasons. We're looking forward to another opportunity on Sunday with UCF."
// CIN 0:1 USF • 69'
After a first half that saw the Bulls hold a 13-3 advantage in shots, but neither team able to score, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 69' after UC had a better run of play to open the second half. The play was set up as a battle for the ball ensued near the touch line with the Bulls earning a free kick. Andrea Hauksdottir took the free kick and sent a bending ball into the box where Bri Blethen ran under it near the back post and headed it home for a 1-0 lead.
// CIN 0:2 USF • 73'
Just four minutes later, the Bulls struck again, this time off the foot of the nation's leading scorer, Eveleyn Viens. On the play, Viens collected the ball near the top of the box, worked free and fired her shot into the upper 90, just out of the reach of Less' diving save attempt to double to advantage.
// CIN 1:2 USF • 77'
The Bearcats did not back down, however, and pulled one back four minutes later. It all began with the defense clearing the ball toward midfield and Sydney Kilgore playing the ball to Vanessa DiNardo, who was streaking forward. DiNardo worked her way into the box and looked to go 1v1 with the keeper, but was tripped from behind, earning a penalty kick for the visitors. Costigan stepped up to take the spot kick and played a beautiful shot into the lower left corner, just past the diving attempt of USF keeper Sydney Martinez to make it 2-1.
// SO CLOSE
Two years ago, the Bearcats found themselves trailing, 2-1, with less than one minute left before Jaycie Brown scored the equalizer with 51 seconds remaining in regulation for an eventual 2-2 draw. It looked as if UC was headed to a similar finish tonight as it earned a corner kick at 89:10. On the play, Cassie Wheldon looped a pass into the box that went over the entire defense to Jill Vetere, who beat the keeper with her shot, only to see the ball cleared off the line by the USF defense, ending the threat and the match.
// FIRST FOR BRI
Heading into the match, Costigan had two points to her credit with the most recent addition an assist against LSU earlier this year. That assist was her first point since the 2016 season. Tonight, she recorded her first collegiate goal, broke her career high for points in a match with two and became the ninth different UC player to record a goal this year. Added to that, Costigan is now the sixth Bearcats player this year to record at least one goal and one assist.
// LESS WITH MORE
Despite the loss, Less had an outstanding night in the goal as the sophomore keeper turned away a career-high 10 shots. Less entered the match with a career-high eight saves that she had recorded twice before, most recently in the match with LSU (9/16/18). She had recorded six saves by halftime before tallying five more in the second half.
// NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats' trip through the Sunshine State concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. as UC will venture to Orlando, Fla., to face the Knights at the UCF Soccer Complex.
// 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.