TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer program will face Toledo for its home opener at 1 p.m. on Sunday inside Gettler Stadium.
The Bearcats will then travel out to South Bend, Ind., to face Notre Dame on Thursday, Aug. 21 inside Alumni Soccer Stadium.
Cincinnati's match versus Toledo will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+.
// SERIES HISTORY
Cincinnati and Toledo have met four times in their history, with the Bearcats holding a 3-1-0 edge.
The two teams faced off last year at Paul Hotmer Field, resulting in a 3-2 win for Cincinnati. Megan Smith and Ellie Flower scored in the win for the Bearcats.
// LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati won its season opener, defeating Eastern Michigan, 4-0, on Thursday night inside Scicluna Field. Cincinnati’s four goals marked its highest output in a season opener since Aug. 31, 1999, when UC defeated Xavier, 4-2.
Senior Maddie Swingle buried a penalty kick in the 11th minute before heading in her second goal in the 61st for the first multi-goal game of her career.
UC broke the match open after halftime, scoring three times in a 10-minute stretch. Faith Broering and Swingle delivered back-to-back headers in the 56th and 61st minutes, both off assists from Claire Rea. Broering also assisted Swingle’s second goal.
Freshman Bryana Gaynor capped the scoring in the 65th minute with her first collegiate goal.
Goalie Camryn Miller, making her Cincinnati debut, was the only Bearcat to play the full 90 minutes and recorded two saves in the shutout.
Freshmen Dru Dorsey, Kailey Shannon, Bryana Gaynor, Kayla Gaynor, Christa Gibbons and Ava “AJ” Hendrick made their collegiate debuts.
// RETURNING STRENGTH
Cincinnati brings back eight starters from last season, including Emma Gioffre, Faith Broering, and Megan Smith, each of whom started all 19 matches. Twelve of UC’s 17 returners appeared in double-digit games for the Red & Black.
While the Bearcats will miss five-year starting goalkeeper Anna Rexford, they return their entire defensive line, featuring Broering, Oubs, Swingle, and Daveler.
// NEW CATS ON THE BLOCK
The Bearcats welcome four transfers and eight freshmen to the 2025 roster. Cincinnati's freshman class includes Lexi O'Shea, Christa Gibbons, Ava "AJ" Hendrick, Kailey Shannon, Lily DiBernardo, Dru Dorsey and twins Kayla and Bryana Gaynor.
Transfers Camryn Miller (Virginia), Molly Cochran (Louisville), Karson Yon (Minnesota) and Joy Kimwemwe (USF) also join the Bearcats.
// MILESTONE WATCH
Graduate student Ellie Flower is just two appearances shy of reaching 50 career matches. She also needs nine goals to hit the 20-goal milestone.
// A WIN WOULD...
- Give UC its fourth straight win in a home opener
- Be Cincinnati's second straight win over Toledo