CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to visiting Western Michigan Sunday night at Gettler Stadium in the Bearcats' 2019 home opener. The Bearcats now stand 1-3-0 on the year while the Broncos improved to 1-2-0.
// NOTING THE MATCH
• Cincinnati fell to 1-3-0 on the season while Western Michigan moved to 1-2-0
• The all-time series is now tied (1-1-0) after UC won the first meeting by the same score in 2010
• Cincinnati is now 27-11-2 all-time in its first home match of the season and saw its three-match winning streak in such contests come to an end with tonight's loss
• A youthful lineup was used as the Starting XI featured four sophomores and three freshmen with Taylor Nuncio, a sophomore transfer, earning her first career collegiate start
• The Bearcats saw 21 players log minutes in the match with more than half (11) being freshmen (4) and sophomores (7)
• Both Sydney Goins and Julia Abbott recorded three shots on the night with both also tying individual career highs in the process
• Madison Less recorded a pair of saves in goal in the loss
• For the third time in four matches in 2019, a lightning delay was recorded with tonight's delay lasting 44 minutes before the opening kick
// SCORING RECAP
The lone goal of the night came in the 18' as Morgan Otteson shot into an open net for the goal. The ball came back toward the top of the box where Less was unable to clear it away. The ball spun off her foot toward the center of the box and Otteson connected on the Broncos' first shot of the match for the 1-0 lead.
// DEFENSE
Despite the loss, the Bearcats' defense held strong much of the match as they held the visitors to five shots total, including just one attempt in the second half. Less recorded a pair of saves in the match as well.
// YOUNG LOOK
Tonight's Starting XI featured just two seniors and had a youthful touch as four sophomores and three freshmen made up seven of the starters. Additionally, the back line was equally as young as it featured two freshmen in Kendall Battle and Ashley Barron along with sophomores Taylor Nuncio and Morgan Jackson.
// NUNCIO STARTS
Nuncio not only made her debut for the Bearcats tonight, she did so by way of a spot in the starting lineup as well. The sophomore transfer, who played just 79 total minutes in four appearances at Louisville last year, started on the back line and recorded 39 minutes in her debut. With her appearance, Nuncio is now the sixth different player to debut for the Bearcats this season and the second sophomore.
// LIGHTING AGAIN
Prior to the start of tonight's match, lightning was detected in the area and forced a delayed start to the match, marking the second match in a row this has happened. Thursday night in Missouri, lightning pushed the opening kickoff back 124 minutes as well. In total this year, three of the first four matches have featured delays for lightning, which now total 265 minutes.
// NEXT MATCH
Cincinnati will be back in action at home Thursday night as the Bearcats will play host to Northwestern at 7 p.m. inside Gettler Stadium.
Women’s Soccer Falls to Western Michigan, 1-0
The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to visiting Western Michigan Sunday night at Gettler Stadium in the Bearcats' 2019 home opener.
