TicketsCINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati soccer team held on for a 2-1 victory over the Ball State Cardinals on Thursday night at Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats improved to 3-1-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was a physical battle in the midfield as both teams came close to scoring with Ball State hitting the post. It was in the 38th minute when Paige Miller scored her first career goal for the Bearcats and gave them the 1-0 lead. DiNardo collected the ball on the left wing and swung in a cross that Miller headed right over the goalie. Karli Royer scored her second goal in as many games in the 54th minute. A cross cleared by the Cardinals fell right to the defender who curled in a shot from way outside the box for a 2-0 lead.
Ball State pulled a goal back in the 87th minute when the Bearcats failed to deal with a cross and Kennedy Metzger headed home a cross from the left wing. Anna Rexford recorded a save in the 90th minute to secure the victory.
QUOTE FROM COACH STAFFORD
"The thing about tonight is that we lacked mentality. That's an area we need to continue to improve upon…We talked about being competing in all aspects of the game, seeing opponents off, managing the small moments in games. You see that in Ball state scoring at the end of game, it turned the game on its head and we were reeling. We were on our heads. I think we learn from this. I think we'll get stronger and we go again on Sunday."
NOTABLE
-Paige Miller's goal was the first of her career for the Bearcats. It was the first from a freshman since Chloe Spitler in the AAC semifinals this spring.
-This was the first time the Bearcats wore their all-black kits this season.
-Karli Royer has scored two goals in two games after not scoring since 2017.
-Anna Rexford made five saves, one short of her career high (6), and all came after halftime.
-The Bearcats outshot their opponent 10-9 despite being outshot in the second half.
UP NEXT
Bearcats are at home on Sunday as they host Eastern Illinois at 6 P.M. on ESPN+.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was a physical battle in the midfield as both teams came close to scoring with Ball State hitting the post. It was in the 38th minute when Paige Miller scored her first career goal for the Bearcats and gave them the 1-0 lead. DiNardo collected the ball on the left wing and swung in a cross that Miller headed right over the goalie. Karli Royer scored her second goal in as many games in the 54th minute. A cross cleared by the Cardinals fell right to the defender who curled in a shot from way outside the box for a 2-0 lead.
Ball State pulled a goal back in the 87th minute when the Bearcats failed to deal with a cross and Kennedy Metzger headed home a cross from the left wing. Anna Rexford recorded a save in the 90th minute to secure the victory.
QUOTE FROM COACH STAFFORD
"The thing about tonight is that we lacked mentality. That's an area we need to continue to improve upon…We talked about being competing in all aspects of the game, seeing opponents off, managing the small moments in games. You see that in Ball state scoring at the end of game, it turned the game on its head and we were reeling. We were on our heads. I think we learn from this. I think we'll get stronger and we go again on Sunday."
NOTABLE
-Paige Miller's goal was the first of her career for the Bearcats. It was the first from a freshman since Chloe Spitler in the AAC semifinals this spring.
-This was the first time the Bearcats wore their all-black kits this season.
-Karli Royer has scored two goals in two games after not scoring since 2017.
-Anna Rexford made five saves, one short of her career high (6), and all came after halftime.
-The Bearcats outshot their opponent 10-9 despite being outshot in the second half.
UP NEXT
Bearcats are at home on Sunday as they host Eastern Illinois at 6 P.M. on ESPN+.