TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team faces Central Michigan at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Bearcats will then travel to Bowling Green on Sunday, Aug. 31 inside Cochrane Stadium.
Cincinnati's match versus Central Michigan will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+.
// SERIES HISTORY
Cincinnati has faced Central Michigan seven times in its history, with the Bearcats holding a 4-2-1 edge.
The two teams last saw each other last year inside the CMU Soccer Complex, resulting in a 2-1 win for the Chippewas.
The series started in 1980.
UC's last win against the Chippewas was in 2005 where the Bearcats won, 1-0, in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
// LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati (1-2-1) could not overcome a strong first half from Xavier, which saw the Musketeers score all three goals in the opening 45 minutes.
Xavier capitalized on 17 first-half shots for three goals, while Cincinnati was held to three chances of its own. The Bearcats tightened defensively after the break, holding the Musketeers to just four shots in the second half.
Goalie Camryn Miller turned in a strong performance with a career-high eight saves, repeatedly keeping the Bearcats in the match. Two of the Xavier’s scores came on second-chance rebounds after Miller’s initial stops.
Overall, Xavier held the advantage in shots (21-5), shots on goal (11-2) and corners (7-2).
The Bearcats set a new attendance record with 1,872 fans packed inside Gettler Stadium.
// 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 nine goals away from the 20-goal milestone.
Sophomore Rylee Felton is two goals away from reaching 10 in her career.
// A WIN WOULD...
Give UC its first win against Central Michigan since 2005.
Give the Bearcats their second win against the Chippewas at home since 1982.