TicketsCINCINNATI -- It was all Bearcats, all the time on a beautiful Sunday evening in Gettler Stadium, as the Cincinnati soccer team routed Eastern Illinois, 5-0. It marked UC's third-straight victory, all at home, improving to 4-1-1 on the season.
It also concluded an emotional weekend honoring the late Ally Sidloski. UC honored its former teammate with a memorial walk Friday night in Gettler Stadium and participated in a halftime tribute at Saturday's football game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats opened the first half with sustained pressure in the offensive-third. Karli Royer got her third goal in as many matches with a right-footed striker from the edge of the penalty area. The Bearcats kept up the pressure and Vanessa DiNardo got her third goal of the season when she slotted her right-footed shot in the bottom corner from inside the penalty box. The first half got even better for the Bearcats after Paige Miller got her second goal of the season. Camryn Hartman swung in her cross from the left wing and Miller got her foot on it to push it over the line.
The second half started off strong for the Bearcats and Tang made it 4-0 in the 66th minute. She collected a cross from Miller, kept her cool, and passed the ball past a diving goalie. Tang got her second goal of the match in the 77th minute. Hartman's shot off the corner resulted in a rebound which fell right to Tang and was able to put it in through the defenders.
UC had a 17-4 shots advantage, including 12-0 in the first half, plus an 11-0 margin in corner kicks.
QUOTES FROM NEIL STAFFORD
"It was a difficult game from an emotional standpoint. First and foremost, I really want to say thank you to David and Tracie Sidloski in allowing us to celebrate Ally. It was as good a weekend as it could be in celebrating her legacy. The family and grandparents really got to see how much of an impact Ally made here. You're always nervous with how much emotional energy has been expanded over these few days. I'm just really proud of the players and everyone who showed up for the walk Friday night. It was a great community effort to celebrate a very special young woman."
NOTABLE
-The five goals marked the Bearcats' most since a 9-0 win over Eastern Kentucky in 2014.
-It was the seventh time UC scored four-plus goals in a match under Neil Stafford.
-Han Tang had the team's first multi-goal game since she did so against Tulsa in 2019.
-The Bearcats have had and held the lead at halftime in each of their four wins (3-0 tonight).
-Karli Royer became the first Bearcat to score a goal in three-straight matches since Julie Gavorski in 2016.
-Ali Gessner and Kate Marrs made their season debuts.
-Freshman Paige Miller finished the weekend with two goals and an assist.
-Camryn Hartman's two assists gave her four for her career.
UP NEXT
UC leaves the greater Cincinnati area for the first time this week when it takes on Kansas, Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
It also concluded an emotional weekend honoring the late Ally Sidloski. UC honored its former teammate with a memorial walk Friday night in Gettler Stadium and participated in a halftime tribute at Saturday's football game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats opened the first half with sustained pressure in the offensive-third. Karli Royer got her third goal in as many matches with a right-footed striker from the edge of the penalty area. The Bearcats kept up the pressure and Vanessa DiNardo got her third goal of the season when she slotted her right-footed shot in the bottom corner from inside the penalty box. The first half got even better for the Bearcats after Paige Miller got her second goal of the season. Camryn Hartman swung in her cross from the left wing and Miller got her foot on it to push it over the line.
The second half started off strong for the Bearcats and Tang made it 4-0 in the 66th minute. She collected a cross from Miller, kept her cool, and passed the ball past a diving goalie. Tang got her second goal of the match in the 77th minute. Hartman's shot off the corner resulted in a rebound which fell right to Tang and was able to put it in through the defenders.
UC had a 17-4 shots advantage, including 12-0 in the first half, plus an 11-0 margin in corner kicks.
QUOTES FROM NEIL STAFFORD
"It was a difficult game from an emotional standpoint. First and foremost, I really want to say thank you to David and Tracie Sidloski in allowing us to celebrate Ally. It was as good a weekend as it could be in celebrating her legacy. The family and grandparents really got to see how much of an impact Ally made here. You're always nervous with how much emotional energy has been expanded over these few days. I'm just really proud of the players and everyone who showed up for the walk Friday night. It was a great community effort to celebrate a very special young woman."
NOTABLE
-The five goals marked the Bearcats' most since a 9-0 win over Eastern Kentucky in 2014.
-It was the seventh time UC scored four-plus goals in a match under Neil Stafford.
-Han Tang had the team's first multi-goal game since she did so against Tulsa in 2019.
-The Bearcats have had and held the lead at halftime in each of their four wins (3-0 tonight).
-Karli Royer became the first Bearcat to score a goal in three-straight matches since Julie Gavorski in 2016.
-Ali Gessner and Kate Marrs made their season debuts.
-Freshman Paige Miller finished the weekend with two goals and an assist.
-Camryn Hartman's two assists gave her four for her career.
UP NEXT
UC leaves the greater Cincinnati area for the first time this week when it takes on Kansas, Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.