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Bearcats ride the eye of the hurricane

In a back-and-forth grind, the No. 21-ranked University of Cincinnati women’s soccer team took down the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes in a 3-2 victory.

Despite the victory, their five-game shutout streak was ended.

“I think we started off well,” said freshman defender Karli Royer. “But since not being scored on since LSU, I think it came as a bit of a shock and we fumbled a bit, but ultimately came out on top.”

Going into halftime, the score was 1-0. The game was heavily contested, with both teams trading scores, and the Bearcats controlled a good portion of the match, easily swinging the ball around, which led to 36 shot attempts.

“They just have to realize that when they are on top, they have to stay on top,” said assistant coach Gavin MacLeod. “If we dip a little bit, we begin to falter and that can give the other team hope, and hope becomes a problem.”

Leading into the 70th minute of the game, the Bearcats were up 2-0 and it looked like another casual shutout in the record book.

However, five minutes later the score was 3-2 and the Bearcats were fighting to hold their lead for the last few minutes of the game, but were able to come together as a unit to finish the game strong.

“We all played well and we got a lot of opportunities that we just couldn’t finish today,” said senior defender Taylor Pavlika. “If only we could have finished them, and it would have been a completely different game.”

Head coach Neil Stafford and his players felt the game was a bit strange, but they expect to bounce back.

Assistant coach Matt Cosinuke thinks that they can learn from this game, and with a few improvements, can be even stronger in the final games of the season.

“I think if we can improve our attention to detail in the defense, maintain our composure throughout the middle and up top and regain the confidence we had in the box, we can definitely get better,” Cosinuke said.

Pavlika agreed, saying they need to capitalize on all the opportunities they are creating.

“We just need to focus on our set pieces and actually finishing the opportunities we receive,” Pavlika said.

The Bearcats remain undefeated in conference play with a 11-1-2 overall record and a 4-0-1 record in the American Athletic Conference. They currently No. 3 in the AAC.

The University of Memphis Tigers are up next for the Bearcats, as they face off Sunday at 1 p.m. at Gettler Stadium. It will be a “pink-out” to raise awareness for breast cancer.

 

http://www.newsrecord.org/sports/bearcats-ride-the-eye-of-the-hurricane/article_c33c38e6-b1c8-11e7-909a-e7ed528663f7.html

 

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Bearcats’ temporary home across the river may reduce attendance

The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team could suffer an attendance loss this season, as their home court is temporarily transferred to Northern Kentucky University’s BB&T Arena while Fifth Third Arena is under construction.

With the stadium being 12.4 miles away, core fans and alumni are still expected in attendance, however satellite fans might be a bit more flakey due to the distance.

“If I’m not within walking distance, I am honestly not inclined to go,” second-year chemical engineering student Cameron Heller said.

Grant Matwiejczyk, a second-year electrical engineering student, agrees with Heller’s sentiment, but still feels inclined to support his fellow Bearcats.

“I think the games being played off campus are a big inconvenience to the students,” Matwiejczyk said. “But, I may drive to a game or two this year because I still want to attend the UC games.”

However, fourth-year communications and criminal justice student Mike Hall disagrees, valuing loyalty over inconvenience.

“I go to every Bearcats sporting event and will always be the first and last person to stand for UC during my time as an undergrad and beyond,” Hall said. “I think our team will see the true fans show up and that definitely could be an inspiration for them as well as other non-UC fans who see our school pride in action.”

Even though the Bearcats will be playing in another arena, the UC athletics program will be providing their own “home court” as they bring in a Bearcats-embedded logo to replace Northern Kentucky’s Norseman for the night.

BB&T Arena is slightly smaller in size compared to Fifth Third, seating 9,400 compared to 13,187, but it will mimic some upcoming features of next year’s newly developed stadium.

“The atmosphere of ‘our house’ will follow our team no matter where we play,” Hall said. “If it was there in Sacramento, California last season when I visited the ‘Cats, and if it can reach the West Coast, I’m sure it will reach 15 minutes south to NKU.”

Hall is not the only student willing to make the drive to BB&T, as many fans share his excitement for the team.

“It’s not my favorite thing to have to drive to the games. When they were on campus I would feel more connected to the team,” second-year engineering student Andy Miller said. “I maybe wouldn’t personally drive to all of them, but I will definitely go to one or two of them. Depends how the experience is and if it is still fun.”

The UC athletics program plans to provide transportation to the games, similar to when the football team played at Paul Brown Stadium in 2014.

Parking will be free to students and season ticket holders, and bussing will be provided to all students. Further information will be released once plans have been finalized.

Some students are asking for more incentive to make the trip across the river.

“UC could offer free hot dogs or shirts to help bring students to games,” fourth-year liberal arts student Clay McQuown said.

While the men can enjoy the comforts of a college stadium and atmosphere, albeit across the river, the women’s team still has to play at St. Ursula Academy, an all-girls high school in Clifton.

Only time will tell, and the first indication of attendance this year will happen when the Bearcats kick off the season against the Savannah State University Tigers on Nov. 10 at noon.

 

http://www.newsrecord.org/sports/bearcats-temporary-home-across-the-river-may-reduce-attendance/article_910ffa0c-b3b1-11e7-ad93-17a37290fa6f.html