TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team returns home to host Temple on Sunday at Gettler Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and live coverage will air on ESPN+. Admission is free and open to the public. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.
THE SERIES
This is the 10th-ever meeting between the two programs. Cincinnati leads the all-time series 4-4-1. The Bearcats are 1-2-1 at Gettler Stadium, 3-2-0 on the road and have never played a neutral site contest against the Owls. The Bearcats' largest margin of victory came in a 3-0 road win over Temple on Oct. 1, 2017, while the largest margin at home was a 2-1 win on Oct. 30, 2016. The two programs last played on Sept. 23, 2021, where the Owls scored three unanswered goals in a 3-2 win over the Bearcats at Temple Sports Complex. In that match, Cincinnati recorded a season-high 26 shots, the most since totaling 36 against Tulsa on Oct. 12, 2017. Cincinnati is outscoring Temple 16-13 in the series, including 10-7 over the last five matches. All nine matches have come since the Bearcats became a member of the AAC in 2013.
LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati played to a 1-1 draw at Tulsa on Thursday night to extend their unbeaten streak to four matches, which is currently the longest in the AAC and the second longest streak of the season after the Bearcats opened the fall unblemished in their first five matches. For the seventh match this season, Cincinnati was first on the scoreboard in the 46th minute. Lauren Bastian lifted a cross that was deflected by Brandi Thomsen and quickly found the feet of Paige Miller, who tucked a shot inside lower left post after only 31 seconds of action in the second half for her second goal of the season. The goal at the 45:31 mark is the second fastest goal out of half recorded under Stafford after the Bearcats scored in 21 seconds out of the break in a 2-0 win over Murray State on Aug. 28. Tulsa found the equalizing in the 67th minute off their second penalty kick of the match. Cincinnati finished the night outshooting Tulsa 15-12, including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal. The Bearcats remain undefeated this season at 4-0-3 when possessing the shot advantage.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION SUNDAY
The Bearcats will honor the family of Ally Sidloski, a former midfielder who tragically passed away on May 22, 2021, with the announcement of a scholarship in her memory on Sunday. The program utilizes the WePlayFor3 mantra as Sidloski wore the number three during her time as a Bearcat. Sunday will also be the season debut of the pink kits in support of breast cancer awareness. Cincinnati will recognize alumni during halftime, highlighted by the 2002 team that captured the Conference USA title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with an overall record of 18-3-3 (6-1-3 C-USA).
COMPARED TO THE CONFERENCE
Cincinnati has the best margin of victory in the AAC (+.9). At .650, Cincinnati has the second best win percentage, trailing only SMU's .667 (6-2-4). The Bearcats have the longest current unbeaten streak in the conference (4 games, 1-0-3). Cincinnati ranks first in goals per game (1.8) and points per game (4.9) and is tied for second in assists (13), goals (18), points (49) and fewest goals allowed (9), despite playing fewer matches. Cincinnati (4-0-2) is one of two teams (Memphis; 3-0-2) that remains undefeated at home. The Bearcats are second in the conference in home attendance average (576/Game). Cincinnati has the fewest offside penalties in the conference (16). Anna Rexford is tied for second in the conference with four shutouts. Vanessa DiNardo is fifth in goals per game (0.4) and is one of eight players with at least four goals on the season. DiNardo is also fifth in points per game (0.9), tied for fourth in total points (9) and second in shots per game (2.6).
LONG AWAITED RETURN TO THE PITCH
When the Bearcats took the pitch on Thursday, it was their first match in 14 days. Until Thursday, the Memphis match on Sept. 22 at Gettler Stadium was the only contest that Cincinnati played in almost a month after a preseason cancelation from Washington and postponement at UCF to Oct. 13 due to Hurricane Ian. With the postponement, the Bearcats will play seven games in October, four on the road and three at Gettler Stadium. The four road matches in the final month of the regular season are the most since 2016.
MEGAN SMITH AND LAUREN BASTIAN EARNED AAC WEEKLY HONORS ON SEPT. 26
Megan Smith secured AAC Rookie of the Week distinction for the second time this season, while Bastian was named to the honor roll on Sept. 26. The Bearcats have earned a weekly conference award in four weeks this season, including three straight to open the season. Bastian notched the equalizer in the 83rd minute to secure a draw against Memphis on Sept. 22. It was the first goal of the season for Bastian, who became the 10th different Bearcat to score this fall. She played 86 of the 90 minutes in the match. Smith recorded the first Bearcat goal of the match off a set piece from Ashley Barron, chipping it over the goalkeeper for her third goal of the season in the 60th minute. She totaled 75 minutes in her third straight start. In addition to Smith and Bastian, Vanessa DiNardo was named to honor roll on Sept. 12, Rexford was tabbed as Goalkeeper of the Week on Aug. 29 and Barron was honored as Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 22.
CONTRIBUTIONS ACROSS THE PITCH - OFFENSE MOVING FAST, DEFENSE HOLDING STRONG
Ten different players have scored a goal through nine matches this season compared to 12 all of last season. Four players have recorded their first collegiate goal this season - Maddie Swingle, Smith, Sarah Kate Rath and Ellie Flower. Eight newcomers (five freshman, three transfers) have recorded at least one start. Nine players have recorded an assist this season. Thomsen is one of 9 AAC players who have tallied at least three assists. Rexford has recorded four clean sheets this season. Rexford is tied for second in the AAC with four shutouts. Every goal in the Stony Brook match was scored by a player in their first or second collegiate season. The five goals scored against Stony Brook ties the second-most under Stafford. The Bearcats also scored five against Eastern Illinois (5-0 win on Sept. 5, 2021) and Saint Francis (PA) (5-0 win on Sept. 7, 2014). The most was a 9-0 win against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 5, 2014.
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.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and live coverage will air on ESPN+. Admission is free and open to the public. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.
THE SERIES
This is the 10th-ever meeting between the two programs. Cincinnati leads the all-time series 4-4-1. The Bearcats are 1-2-1 at Gettler Stadium, 3-2-0 on the road and have never played a neutral site contest against the Owls. The Bearcats' largest margin of victory came in a 3-0 road win over Temple on Oct. 1, 2017, while the largest margin at home was a 2-1 win on Oct. 30, 2016. The two programs last played on Sept. 23, 2021, where the Owls scored three unanswered goals in a 3-2 win over the Bearcats at Temple Sports Complex. In that match, Cincinnati recorded a season-high 26 shots, the most since totaling 36 against Tulsa on Oct. 12, 2017. Cincinnati is outscoring Temple 16-13 in the series, including 10-7 over the last five matches. All nine matches have come since the Bearcats became a member of the AAC in 2013.
LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati played to a 1-1 draw at Tulsa on Thursday night to extend their unbeaten streak to four matches, which is currently the longest in the AAC and the second longest streak of the season after the Bearcats opened the fall unblemished in their first five matches. For the seventh match this season, Cincinnati was first on the scoreboard in the 46th minute. Lauren Bastian lifted a cross that was deflected by Brandi Thomsen and quickly found the feet of Paige Miller, who tucked a shot inside lower left post after only 31 seconds of action in the second half for her second goal of the season. The goal at the 45:31 mark is the second fastest goal out of half recorded under Stafford after the Bearcats scored in 21 seconds out of the break in a 2-0 win over Murray State on Aug. 28. Tulsa found the equalizing in the 67th minute off their second penalty kick of the match. Cincinnati finished the night outshooting Tulsa 15-12, including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal. The Bearcats remain undefeated this season at 4-0-3 when possessing the shot advantage.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION SUNDAY
The Bearcats will honor the family of Ally Sidloski, a former midfielder who tragically passed away on May 22, 2021, with the announcement of a scholarship in her memory on Sunday. The program utilizes the WePlayFor3 mantra as Sidloski wore the number three during her time as a Bearcat. Sunday will also be the season debut of the pink kits in support of breast cancer awareness. Cincinnati will recognize alumni during halftime, highlighted by the 2002 team that captured the Conference USA title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with an overall record of 18-3-3 (6-1-3 C-USA).
COMPARED TO THE CONFERENCE
Cincinnati has the best margin of victory in the AAC (+.9). At .650, Cincinnati has the second best win percentage, trailing only SMU's .667 (6-2-4). The Bearcats have the longest current unbeaten streak in the conference (4 games, 1-0-3). Cincinnati ranks first in goals per game (1.8) and points per game (4.9) and is tied for second in assists (13), goals (18), points (49) and fewest goals allowed (9), despite playing fewer matches. Cincinnati (4-0-2) is one of two teams (Memphis; 3-0-2) that remains undefeated at home. The Bearcats are second in the conference in home attendance average (576/Game). Cincinnati has the fewest offside penalties in the conference (16). Anna Rexford is tied for second in the conference with four shutouts. Vanessa DiNardo is fifth in goals per game (0.4) and is one of eight players with at least four goals on the season. DiNardo is also fifth in points per game (0.9), tied for fourth in total points (9) and second in shots per game (2.6).
LONG AWAITED RETURN TO THE PITCH
When the Bearcats took the pitch on Thursday, it was their first match in 14 days. Until Thursday, the Memphis match on Sept. 22 at Gettler Stadium was the only contest that Cincinnati played in almost a month after a preseason cancelation from Washington and postponement at UCF to Oct. 13 due to Hurricane Ian. With the postponement, the Bearcats will play seven games in October, four on the road and three at Gettler Stadium. The four road matches in the final month of the regular season are the most since 2016.
MEGAN SMITH AND LAUREN BASTIAN EARNED AAC WEEKLY HONORS ON SEPT. 26
Megan Smith secured AAC Rookie of the Week distinction for the second time this season, while Bastian was named to the honor roll on Sept. 26. The Bearcats have earned a weekly conference award in four weeks this season, including three straight to open the season. Bastian notched the equalizer in the 83rd minute to secure a draw against Memphis on Sept. 22. It was the first goal of the season for Bastian, who became the 10th different Bearcat to score this fall. She played 86 of the 90 minutes in the match. Smith recorded the first Bearcat goal of the match off a set piece from Ashley Barron, chipping it over the goalkeeper for her third goal of the season in the 60th minute. She totaled 75 minutes in her third straight start. In addition to Smith and Bastian, Vanessa DiNardo was named to honor roll on Sept. 12, Rexford was tabbed as Goalkeeper of the Week on Aug. 29 and Barron was honored as Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 22.
CONTRIBUTIONS ACROSS THE PITCH - OFFENSE MOVING FAST, DEFENSE HOLDING STRONG
Ten different players have scored a goal through nine matches this season compared to 12 all of last season. Four players have recorded their first collegiate goal this season - Maddie Swingle, Smith, Sarah Kate Rath and Ellie Flower. Eight newcomers (five freshman, three transfers) have recorded at least one start. Nine players have recorded an assist this season. Thomsen is one of 9 AAC players who have tallied at least three assists. Rexford has recorded four clean sheets this season. Rexford is tied for second in the AAC with four shutouts. Every goal in the Stony Brook match was scored by a player in their first or second collegiate season. The five goals scored against Stony Brook ties the second-most under Stafford. The Bearcats also scored five against Eastern Illinois (5-0 win on Sept. 5, 2021) and Saint Francis (PA) (5-0 win on Sept. 7, 2014). The most was a 9-0 win against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 5, 2014.
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.