Soccer Adds Jackson, Nuncio to 2019 Roster

CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer program has added a pair of local transfers to its 2019 roster as Morgan Jackson and Taylor Nuncio have joined the Bearcats, Head Coach Neil Stafford announced today. The duo, both from Cincinnati, played their first collegiate seasons at Louisville in 2018 before transferring to UC.

"We're fortunate having two special young women come home to represent the University and their city," Stafford said. "It's wonderful to see these talented, high character women play a part in the continued growth of our soccer program. We recruited both of them heavily during their club and high school days, so it's exciting to see them both come full circle in their journey. Both of these fantastic student-athletes will certainly add to our 'Culture of Excellence' and will be excellent role models and mentors to the younger generations of young players from our community."

Jackson appeared in nine matches for the Cardinals last year and registered a pair of shots while playing defense. In those contests, UL was 8-1-0 and 4-1-0 in league play. Prior to joining UL, Jackson had a strong career with Indian Hills High School where she was a four-years varsity starter and, in her senior season, scored 34 goals to help her side to a 22-0-1 record and the Ohio state title. An All-American and all-state selection as a senior, Jackson also competed for a pair of club sides locally, including Kings Hammer and Cincinnati Development. Morgan is the second member of her family to play for Stafford at UC after her older sister Taylor Jackson competed for the Bearcats from 2014-16.

"Morgan is a fantastic athlete who also possesses great versatility," Stafford said. "She is naturally gifted in her abilities and has the pace, power and strength to compliment her soccer skills. Morgan has the capability to impose herself on the opposition and impact the game at a high level. She has an aerial presence, can tackle and break up the opposition and can also be a threat in front of goal. Morgan will also add something special to our set pieces as well."

Nuncio saw limited action in her time in Louisville as she appeared in four matches, all four of which were victories for the Cardinals. In her prep career, she played for Loveland High School during her freshman and sophomore seasons and helped her side to a runner-up finish in the state tournament her second year. As a senior, she played for Cincinnati Development Academy. Since age 12, she also played for Cincinnati United Premier and helped her teams to appearances at the regional and national competitions.

"Taylor is a fierce competitor who has the versatility to play various positions," Stafford said. "Taylor's abilities will help us on both sides of the ball as she can cover a great deal of ground to influence the game. She also possesses great energy and a strong personality to contribute to our culture and leadership."

Both players will be available to play for the Bearcats this season, which gets underway Monday, August 12, with the team's first exhibition match of the year, a 7:30 p.m. contest at Dayton. The regular season gets underway Thursday, August 22, as the Bearcats will travel to Harrisonburg, Va., for a neutral site contest with St. John's. UC's first home match of the year will be Sunday, September 1, at 6 p.m. against Western Michigan.

NEWCOMER BIOGRAPHIES
Morgan Jackson
D • Sophomore • Cincinnati, Ohio • Indian Hills HS/Kings Hammer Academy & Cincinnati Development Academy • University of Louisville
PRIOR TO UC • LOUISVILLE: Appeared in nine matches for Louisville in her rookie season, firing two shots, both on frame… team was 8-1-0 in the nine matches she played, including 4-1-0 against ACC opponents… played a career-high 28 minutes at #3 North Carolina (9/29/18) … team competed in the AAC and NCAA tournaments.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2018 graduate of Indian Hill High School (Cincinnati)… four-year varsity player in soccer… scored 34 goals in her senior season to help the team to a 22-0-1 record and the state title… two-time team captain… earned All-America and All-State accolades as a senior… additionally, she played for Kings Hammer Academy and Cincinnati Development Academy… is the second member of her family to play for the Bearcats following older sister Taylor Jackson (2013-16)… she is the daughter of Jennifer and Tom Jackson, who was a former NFL standout (Denver Broncos) and ESPN analyst.

Jackson on selecting the University of Cincinnati:
"I chose the University of Cincinnati to have the chance to play and represent the city that I am from. There is something about playing for your city that makes it something special. Academically, I know that Cincinnati is a great fit and will prepare me for my future plans after college.

Taylor Nuncio
MF • Sophomore • Cincinnati, Ohio • Loveland HS/Cincinnati United Premier • University of Louisville
PRIOR TO UC • LOUISVILLE: Appeared in four matches for the Cardinals in her freshman season… UL was 4-0-0 in the matches she appeared, including 1-0-0 in the ACC… played a career-best 45 minutes in a 2-0 win on the road at Pittsburgh… team competed in the AAC and NCAA tournaments.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2018 graduate of Loveland High School (Cincinnati)… played for LHS both her freshman and sophomore seasons, helping the team to state runner-up honors her second year… played her senior year with Cincinnati Development Academy… also played for Cincinnati United Premier since she was 12, helping her side to appearances at the regional and national competitions… second member of her family to attend UC joining her mother, Jessica Turner… plans to become a Spanish teacher and coach women's soccer after her playing days.

Nuncio on selecting the University of Cincinnati:
"I chose UC because it meant playing for my hometown team, playing for my family and friends that live here, and playing for the city. It's family."