TicketsCINCINNATI -- Kylie Nause scored a career-high six goals to continue her red-hot start, and Cincinnati held on for a 12-11 win over Central Michigan on Friday in Nippert Stadium.
It was the team's first home victory this season amidst a challenging early-season slate, and UC never trailed as well. The Bearcats opened fire early with a 3-0 lead at 7:34 in the first quarter, courtesy of goals by Nause, Ava Goeller and Alyssa Adams. UC led 5-2 before the Chippewas scored twice in the final minutes of the half to trail 5-4 at the break.
UC again found itself up 8-7 midway through the third, but Goeller (1:40) and Nause (0:20) had unassisted tallies to stretch it to 10-7. Nause's sixth of the day came at 5:34 in the final period to give the Bearcats enough insurance.
"I told our defense we couldn't just settle with this team and needed to cause turnovers and get ground balls," head coach Gina Thomas said. "I was not necessarily happy with some of the fastbreak goals on us because we had stressed that all week, but our defense played tough and allowed only four goals in the first half. Central Michigan is tough and gritty, and we knew it would be a battle."
Goeller's sixth hat trick also paid dividends in the scoring column, while Adams scored twice and Anna Platou collected her second goal. Sophie O'Brien's nine saves also matched a career-high set against Gardner-Webb, holding Central Michigan to 2-for-9 on free-position shots.
The Bearcats (4-5) host Liberty on Sunday at noon to close the homestand.
"Liberty beat up on us a bit last year, and we can't have too many turnovers," Thomas said. "Liberty is a bit more aggressive all over the field, so we'll need to tighten up and get a few more balls in the back of the net. They're a tough team offensively too."
NOTABLE
-UC improved to 6-1 against Central Michigan with wins in each of the past three years.
-Nause's nine hat tricks are in sole possession of fifth in school single-season history, while her 37 goals are tied for eighth. Her 116 goals all-time rank third.
-UC caused 13 turnovers, one off a season-high, and has done so in four-straight games after only once in the first five this season.
-Goeller's three goals marked her sixth hat trick of the season and fourth in a row. She is second on the team with 24 goals.
It was the team's first home victory this season amidst a challenging early-season slate, and UC never trailed as well. The Bearcats opened fire early with a 3-0 lead at 7:34 in the first quarter, courtesy of goals by Nause, Ava Goeller and Alyssa Adams. UC led 5-2 before the Chippewas scored twice in the final minutes of the half to trail 5-4 at the break.
UC again found itself up 8-7 midway through the third, but Goeller (1:40) and Nause (0:20) had unassisted tallies to stretch it to 10-7. Nause's sixth of the day came at 5:34 in the final period to give the Bearcats enough insurance.
"I told our defense we couldn't just settle with this team and needed to cause turnovers and get ground balls," head coach Gina Thomas said. "I was not necessarily happy with some of the fastbreak goals on us because we had stressed that all week, but our defense played tough and allowed only four goals in the first half. Central Michigan is tough and gritty, and we knew it would be a battle."
Goeller's sixth hat trick also paid dividends in the scoring column, while Adams scored twice and Anna Platou collected her second goal. Sophie O'Brien's nine saves also matched a career-high set against Gardner-Webb, holding Central Michigan to 2-for-9 on free-position shots.
The Bearcats (4-5) host Liberty on Sunday at noon to close the homestand.
"Liberty beat up on us a bit last year, and we can't have too many turnovers," Thomas said. "Liberty is a bit more aggressive all over the field, so we'll need to tighten up and get a few more balls in the back of the net. They're a tough team offensively too."
NOTABLE
-UC improved to 6-1 against Central Michigan with wins in each of the past three years.
-Nause's nine hat tricks are in sole possession of fifth in school single-season history, while her 37 goals are tied for eighth. Her 116 goals all-time rank third.
-UC caused 13 turnovers, one off a season-high, and has done so in four-straight games after only once in the first five this season.
-Goeller's three goals marked her sixth hat trick of the season and fourth in a row. She is second on the team with 24 goals.