TicketsCINCINNATI -- The University of Cincinnati soccer team will look to ride into the 2021 fall sunset on a high note when it hosts UCF at 7 p.m. Thursday.
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LAST TIME OUT
The Cincinnati Bearcats took on Houston in the Texas humidity on Sunday, falling 2-1 on a late Cougar goal. After UH got on the board with five minutes left before halftime, freshman Paige Miller scored her third goal of the season to tie it in the 70th. The Bearcats were unable to hang on as Houston scored in the 79th to shut the door.
ROOKIE POWER
Paige Miller is currently fourth in goals scored by freshmen in head coach Neil Stafford's nine years at the helm. Current teammate Han Tang sits tied at the top with six goals, matching Sophie Gorman (2017) and Katy Coperus (2013).
Vanessa DiNardo has scored eight goals this season, which is good for second in the AAC, behind USF forward Sydny Nasello's 10. DiNardo has taken only 41 shots compared to Nasello's 66. Miller, Karli Royer, and Kendall Battle are tied for second on the team in goals with three each. DiNardo's 17 points this season and would also be the joint-most since Danielle Rotheram's 25 in 2015.
HOME COOKIN'
The Bearcats have a 4-1-3 record at Gettler Stadium this season. Four wins would be the best return in a single-season since 2018 (5). Fifteen points at home would also be the most in a single-season since 2018 (18).
HOW MAY I ASSIST YOU?
Lauren Bastian leads the Bearcats with four assists. This ties the single season record in four out of the last five seasons. One more assist would be the most in a single-season since Cassie Wheldon in 2015 (6).
THE DEFENSE
Powered by a veteran trio of Alli Pestaina, Karli Royer and defending/preseason Defensive Player of the Year Ashley Barron, the Bearcats have allowed just 165 shots, its fewest since 2014. Royer has also earned a league Defensive Player of the Week honor this season.
ABOUT THE SERIES
The last time these two teams faced each other was Oct. 27, 2019. The Bearcats were 1-0 victors thanks to Barron's goal in the second half. It was her first career goal out of two as a Bearcat overall (also at Tulsa, March 7, 2021). Stafford is 3-3-2 against UCF in his career at UC, including a 3-0-2 mark at home.
ESPN Plus | Live Stats | Free Admission
LAST TIME OUT
The Cincinnati Bearcats took on Houston in the Texas humidity on Sunday, falling 2-1 on a late Cougar goal. After UH got on the board with five minutes left before halftime, freshman Paige Miller scored her third goal of the season to tie it in the 70th. The Bearcats were unable to hang on as Houston scored in the 79th to shut the door.
ROOKIE POWER
Paige Miller is currently fourth in goals scored by freshmen in head coach Neil Stafford's nine years at the helm. Current teammate Han Tang sits tied at the top with six goals, matching Sophie Gorman (2017) and Katy Coperus (2013).
- Sophie Gorman (2017), Han Tang (2019), Katy Couperus (2013) = 6
- Julie Gavorski (2014) = 5
- Vanessa Gilles (2014) = 4
- Paige Miller * (2021) = 3
Vanessa DiNardo has scored eight goals this season, which is good for second in the AAC, behind USF forward Sydny Nasello's 10. DiNardo has taken only 41 shots compared to Nasello's 66. Miller, Karli Royer, and Kendall Battle are tied for second on the team in goals with three each. DiNardo's 17 points this season and would also be the joint-most since Danielle Rotheram's 25 in 2015.
HOME COOKIN'
The Bearcats have a 4-1-3 record at Gettler Stadium this season. Four wins would be the best return in a single-season since 2018 (5). Fifteen points at home would also be the most in a single-season since 2018 (18).
HOW MAY I ASSIST YOU?
Lauren Bastian leads the Bearcats with four assists. This ties the single season record in four out of the last five seasons. One more assist would be the most in a single-season since Cassie Wheldon in 2015 (6).
THE DEFENSE
Powered by a veteran trio of Alli Pestaina, Karli Royer and defending/preseason Defensive Player of the Year Ashley Barron, the Bearcats have allowed just 165 shots, its fewest since 2014. Royer has also earned a league Defensive Player of the Week honor this season.
ABOUT THE SERIES
The last time these two teams faced each other was Oct. 27, 2019. The Bearcats were 1-0 victors thanks to Barron's goal in the second half. It was her first career goal out of two as a Bearcat overall (also at Tulsa, March 7, 2021). Stafford is 3-3-2 against UCF in his career at UC, including a 3-0-2 mark at home.