Cincinnati Tops Syracuse, 3-1
Three second-half goals pushed the University of Cincinnati women's soccer team past Syracuse, 3-1, at Gettler Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After a scoreless first half, the Bearcats (6-2-2) came out firing in the second tallying three goals. Junior Megan Cravenor started off the scoring as she netted a penalty kick in the 49th minute.
UC would pour in two more goals in the 64th and 66th minute with Danielle Rotheram and Vanessa Gilles tallying goals.
The first half was back-and-forth with neither team getting much going on offense, but Cincinnati took control in the second to end with an advantage of 16-5 in shots. The Bearcats also took eight corners to the Orange's (3-4-3) three.
CIN - Megan Cravenor (Penalty kick), 49th
Elsbrock was tackled from behind in the box as she chased down a ball to the end line. Cravenor stepped up for the penalty kick and drilled a shot into the lower left corner as the keeper dove to the right side. CIN 1, SYR 0
CIN - Danielle Rotheram (Taylor Jackson), 64th
Jackson headed a corner kick towards the far post, but it was blocked by a SU defender. The ball fell at Rotheram's feet, and she drove home the goal. CIN 2, SYR 0
CIN - Vanessa Gilles (Jae Atkinson), 66th
Atkinson swooped in a corner from the goalkeeper's right side. Gilles, who was near the penalty dot, rose above the defenders to head the goal inside the near post. CIN 3, SYR 0
SYR - Stephanie Skilton (Rebecca Pongetti), 79th
Pongetti launched a shot from about 25 yards out that bounced off the crossbar. Skilton sprinted by the UC defenders to rebound the ball and push in the goal. CIN 3, SYR 1
MATCH NOTES
- UC is 6-2-2 in its first 10 matches, which is the program's best start since 2002 (8-1-1).
- The Bearcats improve to 8-2-2 at Gettler Stadium under head coach Neil Stafford.
- Syracuse's lone goal ended UC's home shutout streak at 370 minutes and six seconds, which dates back to the Bearcats' home opener against UC Santa Barbara on Aug. 31.
NEXT MATCH
The Bearcats remain at Gettler Stadium for their next two matches and begin American Athletic Conference action. UC first hosts Temple Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. ET and then UConn on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Noon ET.
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