TicketsCINCINNATI -- The University of Cincinnati soccer team's strong defense made the difference on Thursday night in a 1-0 over Tulsa in Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats improved to 5-3-1 on the season and 4-1-1 at home.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The start of the game saw both sides trying to find ways to break down two strong defenses. Both keepers made important saves before Vanessa DiNardo broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Paige Miller controlled a cross right the left wing that fell right into DiNardo's path who slotted it home. The Bearcats would hold on to the 1-0 going into halftime.
The second half continued in a very similar fashion with neither sides giving in. Taylor Nuncio barely missing a header from a Karli Royer free kick and Anna Rexford making a few good saves kept the game at 1-0. Kendall Battle's overhead attempt provided some reaction from the fans in the 69th minute. The Bearcats had their backs against the wall in the final 10 minutes with Tulsa going all-out on the attack but were able to hold on.
The Bearcats had 18 shots, equally splitting nine between each half. The Bearcats also had a 6-1 corner kick advantage. DiNardo and Ashley Barron each had four shots in the match. Miller picked up her second assist on the season.
FROM HEAD COACH NEIL STAFFORD
"We're happy to get three points in conference play, which is a different animal. It gets a bit more competitive and a bit more physical with a whole lot more on the line. It's always a plus to get three points from a conference game. I'm really proud of the ladies for digging down deep tonight. I think we dominated the game quite a bit and seeing it through and getting the shutout is great too."
NOTABLE
-DiNardo has scored in four home matches and has five goals on the season. Her previous season-high was two in 2019.
-Barron had four shots in the match tonight and it is the most in a match for her career.
-The Bearcats tallied a season-high 18 shots while holding Tulsa to four.
-Han Tang earned her first start of the season.
-Cincinnati is now 6-0-0 at home and 9-2-0 overall against Tulsa.
UP NEXT
The Bearcats now face their longest break of the season, taking a week off before traveling to Philadelphia for a Temple matchup next Thursday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The start of the game saw both sides trying to find ways to break down two strong defenses. Both keepers made important saves before Vanessa DiNardo broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Paige Miller controlled a cross right the left wing that fell right into DiNardo's path who slotted it home. The Bearcats would hold on to the 1-0 going into halftime.
The second half continued in a very similar fashion with neither sides giving in. Taylor Nuncio barely missing a header from a Karli Royer free kick and Anna Rexford making a few good saves kept the game at 1-0. Kendall Battle's overhead attempt provided some reaction from the fans in the 69th minute. The Bearcats had their backs against the wall in the final 10 minutes with Tulsa going all-out on the attack but were able to hold on.
The Bearcats had 18 shots, equally splitting nine between each half. The Bearcats also had a 6-1 corner kick advantage. DiNardo and Ashley Barron each had four shots in the match. Miller picked up her second assist on the season.
FROM HEAD COACH NEIL STAFFORD
"We're happy to get three points in conference play, which is a different animal. It gets a bit more competitive and a bit more physical with a whole lot more on the line. It's always a plus to get three points from a conference game. I'm really proud of the ladies for digging down deep tonight. I think we dominated the game quite a bit and seeing it through and getting the shutout is great too."
NOTABLE
-DiNardo has scored in four home matches and has five goals on the season. Her previous season-high was two in 2019.
-Barron had four shots in the match tonight and it is the most in a match for her career.
-The Bearcats tallied a season-high 18 shots while holding Tulsa to four.
-Han Tang earned her first start of the season.
-Cincinnati is now 6-0-0 at home and 9-2-0 overall against Tulsa.
UP NEXT
The Bearcats now face their longest break of the season, taking a week off before traveling to Philadelphia for a Temple matchup next Thursday night.