TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team returns home to close out the month hosting Murray State on Sunday at Gettler Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and live coverage will be aired on ESPN+.
Admission is free and open to the public.
LAST TIME OUT
The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team secured a 1-1 draw against Bowling Green in the road opener on Thursday night at Cochrane Stadium. Vanessa DiNardo broke the stalemate with her first goal of the season in the 37th minute. The graduate student forward controlled a pass from Brandi Thomsen in the final third, making an in-and-out move past a defender and sending a shot right past the outstretch arms of the goalkeeper to give the Bearcats an early lead. Bowling Green found the equalizer in the 71st minute when Brynn Gardner scored her first collegiate goal off an assist right inside the six-yard frame. Anna Rexford limited further damage with her final of four saves on the night, moving across the frame to deny a corner attempt in the 77th minute.
THE SERIES
Cincinnati won the only meeting between the two programs with a 2-1 (2OT) road win on Sept. 26, 2021.
ASHLEY BARRON NAMED AAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR WEEK OF AUG. 22
Ashley Barron was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, announced Monday. This is the fourth time in her career that Barron has received the honor. The back-to-back AAC Defensive Player of the Year played every minute in the Bearcats' first two matches last week, anchoring a backline that only allowed two shots on goal and recorded consecutive shutouts for the first time since 2019.
Cincinnati limited Northern Kentucky to two total shots in the season opener, the lowest total since the program also allowed two against Youngstown State on Sept. 18, 2016. Through the first three matches, Barron is one of three Bearcats that have logged 265 minutes or more, joining goalkeeper Anna Rexford and forward/defender Kendall Battle.
KEY CONTRIBUTIONS
Anna Rexford has been dominant between the posts through the opening portion of the season. She has now recorded six saves to one goal allowed through the first three matches. With the 4-3 edge against Bowling Green on Thursday, Cincinnati has held the advantage in saves in two of three contests.
Brandi Thomsen has been making players all over the pitch for the Bearcats. The graduate student midfielder ranks fourth in the AAC with three points through the first three matches. She recorded her third career goal in the 60th minute of the season opener 2-0 win over Northern Kentucky and assisted on Vanessa DiNardo's strike in the 37th minute at Bowling Green on Thursday.
RETURNING TALENT
The Bearcats return four of six players who scored multiple goals and five of the top six point contributors from 2021. The Bearcats finished fourth in the AAC in goals (28) and assists (22) last season. The roster will feature the return of all three 2021 All-AAC honorees in First Team selection Ashley Barron, Second Team Vanessa DiNardo, and All-Rookie Team Paige Miller. Goalkeeper Anna Rexford is back between the frame after starting all 17 matches last season. She totaled 1562 minutes with 57 saves, fifth in the AAC. The Bearcats also welcome back 13 players that saw action in double digit matches and eight that totaled over 1,000 minutes last season.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's soccer, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsWSOC on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Admission is free and open to the public.
LAST TIME OUT
The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team secured a 1-1 draw against Bowling Green in the road opener on Thursday night at Cochrane Stadium. Vanessa DiNardo broke the stalemate with her first goal of the season in the 37th minute. The graduate student forward controlled a pass from Brandi Thomsen in the final third, making an in-and-out move past a defender and sending a shot right past the outstretch arms of the goalkeeper to give the Bearcats an early lead. Bowling Green found the equalizer in the 71st minute when Brynn Gardner scored her first collegiate goal off an assist right inside the six-yard frame. Anna Rexford limited further damage with her final of four saves on the night, moving across the frame to deny a corner attempt in the 77th minute.
THE SERIES
Cincinnati won the only meeting between the two programs with a 2-1 (2OT) road win on Sept. 26, 2021.
ASHLEY BARRON NAMED AAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR WEEK OF AUG. 22
Ashley Barron was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, announced Monday. This is the fourth time in her career that Barron has received the honor. The back-to-back AAC Defensive Player of the Year played every minute in the Bearcats' first two matches last week, anchoring a backline that only allowed two shots on goal and recorded consecutive shutouts for the first time since 2019.
Cincinnati limited Northern Kentucky to two total shots in the season opener, the lowest total since the program also allowed two against Youngstown State on Sept. 18, 2016. Through the first three matches, Barron is one of three Bearcats that have logged 265 minutes or more, joining goalkeeper Anna Rexford and forward/defender Kendall Battle.
KEY CONTRIBUTIONS
Anna Rexford has been dominant between the posts through the opening portion of the season. She has now recorded six saves to one goal allowed through the first three matches. With the 4-3 edge against Bowling Green on Thursday, Cincinnati has held the advantage in saves in two of three contests.
Brandi Thomsen has been making players all over the pitch for the Bearcats. The graduate student midfielder ranks fourth in the AAC with three points through the first three matches. She recorded her third career goal in the 60th minute of the season opener 2-0 win over Northern Kentucky and assisted on Vanessa DiNardo's strike in the 37th minute at Bowling Green on Thursday.
RETURNING TALENT
The Bearcats return four of six players who scored multiple goals and five of the top six point contributors from 2021. The Bearcats finished fourth in the AAC in goals (28) and assists (22) last season. The roster will feature the return of all three 2021 All-AAC honorees in First Team selection Ashley Barron, Second Team Vanessa DiNardo, and All-Rookie Team Paige Miller. Goalkeeper Anna Rexford is back between the frame after starting all 17 matches last season. She totaled 1562 minutes with 57 saves, fifth in the AAC. The Bearcats also welcome back 13 players that saw action in double digit matches and eight that totaled over 1,000 minutes last season.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's soccer, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsWSOC on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.