TicketsCINCINNATI -- The University of Cincinnati soccer team continues its challenging slate Thursday when it travels to the Sunflower State to take on Kansas at 8 p.m. ET. The Bearcats are seeking their fourth-straight win, which would be its longest since 2017.
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LEAVING ON A JET PLANE
The Bearcats' trip west marks its first major road trip of the season. The team played four of its first six games at home, with the other two (NKU, Xavier) coming a combined 10 miles from campus. This is the second meeting between the schools after a scoreless tie at Gettler Stadium on Sept. 6, 2018. The Bearcats are 7-7 on the road through the 2019 season.
LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati routed Eastern Illinois, 5-0, on Sunday evening, its most goals and largest margin of victory since a 9-0 decision against Eastern Kentucky in 2014. Karli Royer and Vanessa DiNardo scored within 3:21 of each other midway through the first half (both lead the team with three on the year), and freshman Paige Miller punched one in for the second-straight contest before halftime. Han Tang, the team's scoring leader in 2019, added her first two in the 66th and 78th minutes.
UC outshot EIU 17-4, including a 12-0 advantage in the first half, as well as boasting an 11-0 margin in corners.
WEEKLY AWARDS CONTINUE
Paige Miller's two goals and assist over the Ball State and EIU sweep led to AAC Rookie of the Week honors, while Karli Royer earned an Honor Roll nod after winning Defensive Player of the Week the previous run. Royer's three-straight games with a goal marks the first-such occurrence since 2016.
HALFTIME LOVE
Cincinnati has led at the half in all four of its wins (2-0 NKU, 2-1 Virginia Tech, 1-0 Ball State, 3-0 EIU), and was scoreless at the break against Toledo and Xavier.
NEW FACES TO THE FOLD
Sunday's win allowed for much-deserved rest for several Bearcats. Kate Marrs gave goalkeeper Anna Rexford the final 45 minutes off, while DiNardo, Royer, Kendall Battle, Lauren Bastian, Maddie Thiss, Preseason and 2020 AC Defensive Player of the Year Ashley Barron sat the second half.
SCOUTING KANSAS
The Jayhawks (3-2-1) have played defensive battles all season, outscoring its opponents 4-2. Last year's team, amidst the fall-spring split, was ranked fifth in the United Soccer Coaches poll, its highest ever. They reached the third round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament after claiming the Big 12 title. Head coach Mark Francis has 245 wins in his 23 seasons at the helm.
ESPN Plus | Live Stats
LEAVING ON A JET PLANE
The Bearcats' trip west marks its first major road trip of the season. The team played four of its first six games at home, with the other two (NKU, Xavier) coming a combined 10 miles from campus. This is the second meeting between the schools after a scoreless tie at Gettler Stadium on Sept. 6, 2018. The Bearcats are 7-7 on the road through the 2019 season.
LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati routed Eastern Illinois, 5-0, on Sunday evening, its most goals and largest margin of victory since a 9-0 decision against Eastern Kentucky in 2014. Karli Royer and Vanessa DiNardo scored within 3:21 of each other midway through the first half (both lead the team with three on the year), and freshman Paige Miller punched one in for the second-straight contest before halftime. Han Tang, the team's scoring leader in 2019, added her first two in the 66th and 78th minutes.
UC outshot EIU 17-4, including a 12-0 advantage in the first half, as well as boasting an 11-0 margin in corners.
WEEKLY AWARDS CONTINUE
Paige Miller's two goals and assist over the Ball State and EIU sweep led to AAC Rookie of the Week honors, while Karli Royer earned an Honor Roll nod after winning Defensive Player of the Week the previous run. Royer's three-straight games with a goal marks the first-such occurrence since 2016.
HALFTIME LOVE
Cincinnati has led at the half in all four of its wins (2-0 NKU, 2-1 Virginia Tech, 1-0 Ball State, 3-0 EIU), and was scoreless at the break against Toledo and Xavier.
NEW FACES TO THE FOLD
Sunday's win allowed for much-deserved rest for several Bearcats. Kate Marrs gave goalkeeper Anna Rexford the final 45 minutes off, while DiNardo, Royer, Kendall Battle, Lauren Bastian, Maddie Thiss, Preseason and 2020 AC Defensive Player of the Year Ashley Barron sat the second half.
SCOUTING KANSAS
The Jayhawks (3-2-1) have played defensive battles all season, outscoring its opponents 4-2. Last year's team, amidst the fall-spring split, was ranked fifth in the United Soccer Coaches poll, its highest ever. They reached the third round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament after claiming the Big 12 title. Head coach Mark Francis has 245 wins in his 23 seasons at the helm.