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CINCINNATI | What a difference a year makes.
Last fall in the second exhibition game of the season in Morehead, Cincinnati defeated the Morehead State women’s soccer team 6-0.
On Sunday at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati, the host Bearcats pulled out a 2-1 victory.
UC scored in the 68th minute for the go-ahead goal.
The Bearcats began the scoring with a goal at 20:09 after Kailey Shannon retrieved a rebound off a shot and converted a 12-yard shot from right of midfield to the left post.
Morehead State got the equalizer at the 50:03 mark, when freshman forward Jade Walton converted a 35-yard blast from the right side that sailed inside the left post. It was Walton’s first action in approximately two years.
Cincinnati pulled ahead when Jada Arthurs mirrored the first goal by scoring from 12 yards out with a right-to-left shot.
There were mid-game water breaks halfway between each period to account for the heat.
Just like the first game, MSU was without four players: freshman forward Joni Bandi, freshman defender Addison Petry, senior midfielder Kennedy Baquero and junior defender/midfielder Molly Tapak.
Despite the final score, MSU coach Paul Cox was thrilled with his team’s performance.
Listen to Cox discuss the game on the MSU YouTube channel.
Cincinnati dominated the offensive statistics, including shots (22-3) and corner kicks (11-1). The Bearcats had the ball in the offensive zone for 65 percent of its possession. The hosts also had all three offside calls and nine of the 13 fouls. The Eagles had the ball in the Bearcat defensive side for 58 percent of its possession time. Both teams had the ball 50 percent of the afternoon.
Walton had two of MSU’s shots, with sophomore forward Ava Peck recording the other. Arthurs, Bryana Gaynor and Laura Zemberyova each had three attempts to lead the hosts.
Sophomore Clarie Cress and redshirt sophomore Sofia Rodriguez split time in the net. Cress started the game and played the first half, recording five saves. Rodriguez spent the final 45 minutes in goal and registered six saves. She suffered the loss. Both keepers surrendered one goal.
Cincinnati used three goalkeepers. Camryn Miller started the game and made one save in 45 minutes. Amber Brandon (23:17) and Kate Helfen (21:43) split time in the second half. Brandon allowed the goal and Helfen earned the win.
Morehead State completed its exhibition campaign with a 1-1 mark for the second straight season.
The Eagles open the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 14 when it entertains Marshall at 7 p.m. The team remains at home to host Austin Peay on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m.