TicketsCINCINNATI -- The Bearcat soccer team played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw Thursday night against ECU at Gettler Stadium. Cincinnati's record moves to 6-4-2 overall, 4-1-2 at home and 1-1-1 in AAC play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats started the first half on the front-foot as Karli Royer's free-kick going just over the bar from outside the box at the 6th minute. ECU took an early lead off a cross from the right wing by Lexi Moore headed in by Haley McWhirter. Vanessa DiNardo and Lauren Bastian each tested the ECU goalie midway through the second half. DiNardo received a good ball from Barron but was unable to score. Bastian had a long shot tipped over the bar. Anna Rexford made a tremendous stop off of a close-range header from McWhirter.
The Bearcats started the second half on the attack and found an equalizer through Kendall Battle. She picked up a loose ball in midfield and attempted an audacious shot from the left wing and it snuck in at the back post. UC had opportunities to win in late in the second half, but could not convert. Maddie Thiss and Maddy Pittman each coming close off of opportunities in the box. After the full 90 minutes, the match remained 1-1 and headed for extra-time.
In the additional period, three yellow cards were issued and one red card to Pirates' HC Jason Hamilton saw him dismissed from his bench. ECU was awarded an indirect free kick off of an Ashley Barron 101st minute handball, but the Pirates' could not capitalize. The Bearcats had a flurry of attempts off a corner-kick, but were unable to break the deadlock.
The Bearcats totaled 17 shots in this match, with 12 coming in the second half and extra-time. Rexford collected two saves to go along with the shutout. Bastian and DiNardo each paced the team with three shots each.
QUOTE FROM COACH NEIL STAFFORD
"I saw a very undisciplined team in the first half. I was really disappointed with our performance in the first half. You find yourself in a hole and at this level here, against a good ECU team, and their record doesn't show it right now, but they've played some really tough opponents and had a heck of a start to the conference schedule. You shut down for a minute at this level and you get punished and we did. We found ourselves in a hole and I am certainly proud of the fight-back in the second half. But, at what point do you take matters into your own hand and control the game instead of outshooting opponents and never punished the way we should? This is what happens at this level and we just seem to be learning hard lessons from time to time."
NOTABLE
-UC is now 0-2-2 on the season when conceding the first goal.
-The second time in two meetings at Gettler Stadium that ended in a draw, with the last meeting ending 0-0 on 10/31/19.
-Kendall Battle has scored two goals in three matches, and has tied her career high in goals (2).
-The Bearcats overall record against ECU is now 8-2-3. Coach Neil Stafford's record moves to 5-1-2 against the Pirates.
-The last time UC played in back-to-back OT matches was in 2019 when they both finished 0-0 against Xavier and Austin Peay.
-Vanessa DiNardo's three shots upped her team-leading total to 31.
UP NEXT
The Bearcats travel to face Memphis on October 10th.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats started the first half on the front-foot as Karli Royer's free-kick going just over the bar from outside the box at the 6th minute. ECU took an early lead off a cross from the right wing by Lexi Moore headed in by Haley McWhirter. Vanessa DiNardo and Lauren Bastian each tested the ECU goalie midway through the second half. DiNardo received a good ball from Barron but was unable to score. Bastian had a long shot tipped over the bar. Anna Rexford made a tremendous stop off of a close-range header from McWhirter.
The Bearcats started the second half on the attack and found an equalizer through Kendall Battle. She picked up a loose ball in midfield and attempted an audacious shot from the left wing and it snuck in at the back post. UC had opportunities to win in late in the second half, but could not convert. Maddie Thiss and Maddy Pittman each coming close off of opportunities in the box. After the full 90 minutes, the match remained 1-1 and headed for extra-time.
In the additional period, three yellow cards were issued and one red card to Pirates' HC Jason Hamilton saw him dismissed from his bench. ECU was awarded an indirect free kick off of an Ashley Barron 101st minute handball, but the Pirates' could not capitalize. The Bearcats had a flurry of attempts off a corner-kick, but were unable to break the deadlock.
The Bearcats totaled 17 shots in this match, with 12 coming in the second half and extra-time. Rexford collected two saves to go along with the shutout. Bastian and DiNardo each paced the team with three shots each.
QUOTE FROM COACH NEIL STAFFORD
"I saw a very undisciplined team in the first half. I was really disappointed with our performance in the first half. You find yourself in a hole and at this level here, against a good ECU team, and their record doesn't show it right now, but they've played some really tough opponents and had a heck of a start to the conference schedule. You shut down for a minute at this level and you get punished and we did. We found ourselves in a hole and I am certainly proud of the fight-back in the second half. But, at what point do you take matters into your own hand and control the game instead of outshooting opponents and never punished the way we should? This is what happens at this level and we just seem to be learning hard lessons from time to time."
NOTABLE
-UC is now 0-2-2 on the season when conceding the first goal.
-The second time in two meetings at Gettler Stadium that ended in a draw, with the last meeting ending 0-0 on 10/31/19.
-Kendall Battle has scored two goals in three matches, and has tied her career high in goals (2).
-The Bearcats overall record against ECU is now 8-2-3. Coach Neil Stafford's record moves to 5-1-2 against the Pirates.
-The last time UC played in back-to-back OT matches was in 2019 when they both finished 0-0 against Xavier and Austin Peay.
-Vanessa DiNardo's three shots upped her team-leading total to 31.
UP NEXT
The Bearcats travel to face Memphis on October 10th.