CINCINNATI - The American Athletic Conference has announced preseason awards and its coaches' poll for the 2019 women's soccer season with the University of Cincinnati team voted to finish sixth overall this year. Individually, Vanessa DiNardo was tabbed for the AAC Preseason All-Conference team, marking the second award she has received from the conference coaches after being unanimously selected to the 2018 AAC All-Rookie Team.
// DINARDO NAMED
DiNardo had a strong showing in her debut season as she appeared in 17 of the team's 18 matches and earned a spot in the Starting XI 10 times. She ended the season with three points on one goal and one assist, tying for fifth on the team in scoring. One of eight Bearcats to score at least one goal and add one assist on the year, she tied for the lead in scoring among freshmen as well.
Playing the most minutes of any rookie at UC in 2018 (987), DiNardo's pace up front led to numerous scoring chances for herself and her teammates and continually disrupted the defense ahead of her. She tallied her first point in similar fashion as she helped set up the game-winning goal in overtime against Lipscomb as she skillfully back-heeled a pass to Jill Vetere, who crossed into the box for Sophie Gorman, who scored the winner. DiNardo opened her account in the final home weekend of 2018 as she found the net against Temple in 2-2 draw, hitting a pass from Vetere out of the air and into the net as she rushed in from the top of the box.
// ADDING TO HISTORY
With DiNardo's award this year, the Bearcats have now placed at least one individual on the preseason all-conference team in each of the last four seasons, all of which came after not earning a spot on any of the initial three ballots. The run started ahead of the 2016 season with both Vanessa Gilles and Jaycie Brown being honored and continued in 2017 with both Gilles and Julie Gavorski earning selections. Gorman was selected ahead of last year's season and did so as a unanimous selection, placing in the same company as Gilles as the only Bearcats to be unanimous selections to the preseason all-conference team.
// TEAM STANDINGS
On the team side of things, the league's coaches are anticipating a close battle for the top of the table once again with this year's vote decided by just two points as USF was picked to edge Memphis for the regular-season crown, securing 76 points and four first-place votes compared to the Tigers' 74 points and four first-place votes. The rest of the Top 5 is rounded out by UCF (66 points & 2 FPV), SMU (59) and ECU (45). The Bearcats picked up 37 points to rank sixth while UConn, playing in its final season as members of the AAC, tallied 33 points for seventh. Houston (26), Temple (19) and Tulsa (15) were selected for the final three positions.
By being selected sixth, the Bearcats have been picked lower than that just once in the seven years the AAC has played. That lone instance came in the inaugural season of 2013 when UC was picked ninth.
Preseason Picks
2013 • 9th
2014 • 6th
2015 • 5th
2016 • 3rd (tie)
2017 • 3rd
2018 • 4th
2019 • 6th
// NEW THIS YEAR
In 2019, the postseason schedule will be a bit different than in years past. While the Top 6 will once again qualify to the AAC Tournament, the venues and format has been altered. This, the #3 and #4 teams in final standings will play host to a first-round contest against the #6 and #5 teams, respectively. The winners will advance to the home field of the regular season champion for the semifinals and final. The semifinals will see the winner of the #4/#5 match face #1 and the winner of the #3/#6 match face #2.
// POTENTIAL SHOWDOWNS
Looking at the schedule compared to the rankings, the Bearcats will play four of the Top 5 teams in Cincinnati this year, including the Top 3. The Bearcats, who hold a 38-7-12 home record since the start of the 2013 season, will play host to #1 USF (October 24), #2 Memphis (October 10), #3 UCF (October 27), #5 ECU (October 31) and #10 Tulsa (October 12) this year while playing on the road in the remaining four contests. The conference season, which opens September 26-29, will see the Bearcats hit the road to face #9 Temple and #7 UConn on opening weekend.
// MILESTONES ABOUND
There are several milestones the program is celebrating in 2019 and one more that could be added. This year, the Bearcats are playing their 40th varsity season after earning varsity status in time for the 1980 season. Additionally, the University is in the midst of celebrating its bicentennial after UC was founded in 1819. Oddly enough, the Bearcats, who will play at home nine times in the regular season, need just three wins in Cincinnati to record their 200th home victory, which would be very fitting for the bicentennial.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will play a pair of home exhibition matches this week, starting Thursday at 6 p.m. with UIC coming to Gettler Stadium. The final preseason tune-up will come Sunday at noon as Canadian side McMaster University visits Gettler Stadium.
// FOLLOWING 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.
2019 AAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. USF • 76 (4)
2. Memphis • 74 (4)
3. UCF • 66 (2)
4. SMU • 59
5. ECU • 45
6. CINCINNATI • 37
7. UConn • 33
8. Houston • 26
9. Temple • 19
10. Tulsa • 15
# (#) following team name indicates points (first-place votes)
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year • Evelyne Viens, USF, Sr., F
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year • Jayda Hylton-Pelaia, ECU, Sr. D
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year • Elizabeth Moberg, MEM, Jr., GK
Preseason All-Conference Team
Konya Plummer, UCF, Sr., D
Kristen Scott, UCF, So., F
Vanessa DiNardo, Cincinnati, So., F
Jayda Hylton-Pelaia, ECU, Sr., D
Desiree Bowen, Houston, Sr., F
Serena Dolan, Memphis, Sr., M
Clarissa Larisey, Memphis, Jr., F *
Elizabeth Moberg, Memphis, Jr., GK
Andrea Hauksdottir, USF, Sr., M
Evelyne Viens, USF, Sr., F *
Courtney Sebazco, SMU, So., M
Allie Thornton, SMU, Sr., F *
Anna Williams, Tulsa, Sr., F
*indicates unanimous selection
DiNardo Named Preseason AAC All-Conference
The American Athletic Conference has announced preseason awards and its coaches' poll for the 2019 women's soccer season with the University of Cincinnati team voted to finish sixth overall this year. Individually, Vanessa DiNardo was tabbed for the AAC Preseason All-Conference team, marking the second award she has received from the conference coaches after being unanimously selected to the 2018 AAC All-Rookie Team.
