TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati scored the first goal of the match on an outstanding shot from Jill Vetere, but the Bearcats were unable to hang out as host UCF scored late in regulation before tallying the golden goal in double overtime to claim a 2-1 win Sunday afternoon in Orlando, Fla. The loss, UC's second in a row, dropped the Bearcats to 6-7-2 on the year and 1-4-1 in American Athletic Conference action while the host Knights moved to 6-4-1 overall and 3-1-0 in league play.
// QUICK NOTES
• Cincinnati fell to 6-7-2 overall and 1-4-1 in AAC play while UCF improved to 6-4-1 overall and 3-1-0 in league action
• UCF snapped UC's three-match undefeated streak in the series to see the Bearcats fall to 3-4-2 all-time and 1-3-0 in Orlando
• The 2-1 score line snapped a streak of four matches in a row in the series that at least one team was shutout. UCF won 2-0 in 2014 before UC won the next two by identical 2-0 scores. Last year, the match ended in a 0-0 draw in Cincinnati.
• Today's match marked the fifth time the Bearcats have gone to overtime this year and now stand 2-1-2 in those matches
• Today's match also marked the seventh time (in 15 matches) that the final score was 2-1. UC is 4-3-0 in those seven matches in 2018.
• Vetere scored her team-leading fifth goal of the year, continuing to increase her career-high goal total of three that she scored last year.
• Sophie Gorman was credited with her first assist of the season, making her the seventh Bearcats player to record at least one goal and one assist this season.
• Madison Less recorded three saves in the match
// STAFFORD'S STANCE
"We're disappointed not taking any points from the weekend, but there was continued substantial growth with the players individually and as a group," Head Coach Neil Stafford said. "We faced some of the best attacking soccer of the year and we did ourselves incredibly proud with our performance again today.
"We made a mistake or two over the weekend, but there was a lot to be proud of on both sides of the ball. I thought our passing and movement at times was at a high level. We got into dangerous areas and made defenders think and make decisions they were uncomfortable making. The positive relationships between players is showing more in passing players off and also combining on the ball. Our shape, compactness and communication is causing problems for teams and putting us in dangerous areas to transition. Our physicality and tackling are improving and we've been better in the air. There's a lot more to do, but I'm spirited with the direction we are heading.
"I thought the upperclassmen were brilliant with the examples of leadership they displayed for our young team. More than half of our travel party this weekend were freshmen and sophomores and these players are getting a fantastic experience. I know the players will be a bit frustrated but sometimes the process can be unforgiving. The program will be better off for what we've gone through today and Thursday. It hurts, but the life lessons are important and powerful. Our maturity and character continues to grow and that's a credit to the players, especially when results don't go your way. We're looking forward to being back home this weekend and celebrating our seniors who have given so much to the program."
// CIN 1:0 UCF • 56'
After a scoreless first half of play, the Bearcats came out on the front foot in the second half and pushed down the field with more frequency in the opening minutes. The persistence paid off in the 56' as UC advanced the ball down the center of the pitch before it was played wide to the right side where Gorman collected the ball and moved to the corner of the box. Gorman sent a pass into the area over the defense toward Vetere. The ball came to the senior where she volleyed the ball out of the air, sending an absolute firecracker of a shot on frame that went just under the cross bar to drill the back of the net and stake the guests to a 1-0 lead.
// CIN 1:1 UCF • 85'
UCF continued to press forward in the later stages of the match and got on the board with 84:19 elapsed. On the play, Stefanie Sanders carried the ball toward the top of the box and fired a shot on goal that Less turned away. The ball, however, rebounded toward UCF's Kristen Scott, who one-timed the ball into the open net to knot things at 1-1 and eventually force overtime.
// CIN 1:2 UCF • 101'
After a scoreless first overtime session, the second 10-minute period got underway with the hosts taking the ball and immediately moving toward goal. On the winning play, Jaida Scott moved the ball forward and dished to Sanders, who fired a low shot toward the post that beat the diving save attempt of Less to give the hosts the victory, 2-1, with 100:46 played.
// STRONG SAVES
Four total saves were recorded in the match by UC with Less being credited with three. Her third was perhaps her best of the day as it game with under three minutes remaining in the first overtime. With 97:44 played, UCF broke into the UC defensive third with Dana Orschmann, UCF's top scorer, controlling the ball and moving forward. Orschmann got near the top of the 18-yard box and took a shot with Less coming way off her line to slide at Orschmann and make the save, keeping the Bearcats in the match.
Earlier in the same period, with 92:10 elapsed, the Bearcats got another save from another Madison, this time with Madison Lindsay making the play. UCF was advancing forward and Less came out to close off the angle when the Knights chipped a shot over the UC keeper. Lindsay chased the ball down and cleared it off the goal line, preventing the winning goal from being scored and keeping UC's chances alive in overtime.
// FINDING GOALS
Heading into the season, Vetere's career highs for goals, assists and points in a season were three goals in 2017 for UC, three assists for Louisville in 2016 and seven points for UL in 2016. With her goal today, Vetere now has five goals to go with three assists for 13 points, which is the most of any Bearcats player in all three categories.
// NEXT MATCH
The final two regular season home matches of the 2018 season on the slate next week for the Bearcats as they will play host to Temple Thursday night at 7 p.m. and UConn Sunday at 1 p.m. with both matches being played at Gettler Stadium. Thursday's match with the Owls will be the team's annual Pink Match and fans are encouraged to join the team in wearing pink to the match. Sunday will be Senior Day with the program recognizing its four seniors: Vetere, Tiffany Huber, Kaleigh Piscioneri and Cassie Wheldon.
// 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 6-7-2 overall and 1-4-1 in AAC play while UCF improved to 6-4-1 overall and 3-1-0 in league action
• UCF snapped UC's three-match undefeated streak in the series to see the Bearcats fall to 3-4-2 all-time and 1-3-0 in Orlando
• The 2-1 score line snapped a streak of four matches in a row in the series that at least one team was shutout. UCF won 2-0 in 2014 before UC won the next two by identical 2-0 scores. Last year, the match ended in a 0-0 draw in Cincinnati.
• Today's match marked the fifth time the Bearcats have gone to overtime this year and now stand 2-1-2 in those matches
• Today's match also marked the seventh time (in 15 matches) that the final score was 2-1. UC is 4-3-0 in those seven matches in 2018.
• Vetere scored her team-leading fifth goal of the year, continuing to increase her career-high goal total of three that she scored last year.
• Sophie Gorman was credited with her first assist of the season, making her the seventh Bearcats player to record at least one goal and one assist this season.
• Madison Less recorded three saves in the match
// STAFFORD'S STANCE
"We're disappointed not taking any points from the weekend, but there was continued substantial growth with the players individually and as a group," Head Coach Neil Stafford said. "We faced some of the best attacking soccer of the year and we did ourselves incredibly proud with our performance again today.
"We made a mistake or two over the weekend, but there was a lot to be proud of on both sides of the ball. I thought our passing and movement at times was at a high level. We got into dangerous areas and made defenders think and make decisions they were uncomfortable making. The positive relationships between players is showing more in passing players off and also combining on the ball. Our shape, compactness and communication is causing problems for teams and putting us in dangerous areas to transition. Our physicality and tackling are improving and we've been better in the air. There's a lot more to do, but I'm spirited with the direction we are heading.
"I thought the upperclassmen were brilliant with the examples of leadership they displayed for our young team. More than half of our travel party this weekend were freshmen and sophomores and these players are getting a fantastic experience. I know the players will be a bit frustrated but sometimes the process can be unforgiving. The program will be better off for what we've gone through today and Thursday. It hurts, but the life lessons are important and powerful. Our maturity and character continues to grow and that's a credit to the players, especially when results don't go your way. We're looking forward to being back home this weekend and celebrating our seniors who have given so much to the program."
// CIN 1:0 UCF • 56'
After a scoreless first half of play, the Bearcats came out on the front foot in the second half and pushed down the field with more frequency in the opening minutes. The persistence paid off in the 56' as UC advanced the ball down the center of the pitch before it was played wide to the right side where Gorman collected the ball and moved to the corner of the box. Gorman sent a pass into the area over the defense toward Vetere. The ball came to the senior where she volleyed the ball out of the air, sending an absolute firecracker of a shot on frame that went just under the cross bar to drill the back of the net and stake the guests to a 1-0 lead.
// CIN 1:1 UCF • 85'
UCF continued to press forward in the later stages of the match and got on the board with 84:19 elapsed. On the play, Stefanie Sanders carried the ball toward the top of the box and fired a shot on goal that Less turned away. The ball, however, rebounded toward UCF's Kristen Scott, who one-timed the ball into the open net to knot things at 1-1 and eventually force overtime.
// CIN 1:2 UCF • 101'
After a scoreless first overtime session, the second 10-minute period got underway with the hosts taking the ball and immediately moving toward goal. On the winning play, Jaida Scott moved the ball forward and dished to Sanders, who fired a low shot toward the post that beat the diving save attempt of Less to give the hosts the victory, 2-1, with 100:46 played.
// STRONG SAVES
Four total saves were recorded in the match by UC with Less being credited with three. Her third was perhaps her best of the day as it game with under three minutes remaining in the first overtime. With 97:44 played, UCF broke into the UC defensive third with Dana Orschmann, UCF's top scorer, controlling the ball and moving forward. Orschmann got near the top of the 18-yard box and took a shot with Less coming way off her line to slide at Orschmann and make the save, keeping the Bearcats in the match.
Earlier in the same period, with 92:10 elapsed, the Bearcats got another save from another Madison, this time with Madison Lindsay making the play. UCF was advancing forward and Less came out to close off the angle when the Knights chipped a shot over the UC keeper. Lindsay chased the ball down and cleared it off the goal line, preventing the winning goal from being scored and keeping UC's chances alive in overtime.
// FINDING GOALS
Heading into the season, Vetere's career highs for goals, assists and points in a season were three goals in 2017 for UC, three assists for Louisville in 2016 and seven points for UL in 2016. With her goal today, Vetere now has five goals to go with three assists for 13 points, which is the most of any Bearcats player in all three categories.
// NEXT MATCH
The final two regular season home matches of the 2018 season on the slate next week for the Bearcats as they will play host to Temple Thursday night at 7 p.m. and UConn Sunday at 1 p.m. with both matches being played at Gettler Stadium. Thursday's match with the Owls will be the team's annual Pink Match and fans are encouraged to join the team in wearing pink to the match. Sunday will be Senior Day with the program recognizing its four seniors: Vetere, Tiffany Huber, Kaleigh Piscioneri and Cassie Wheldon.
// 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.