The Cincinnati Women’s Soccer team traveled to Bowling Green to take on the Falcons at Cochrane Stadium. The Bearcats were trying to improve to 2-0-1 on the season after winning the home opener and then battling to a tough draw against Michigan State.
The Bearcats ran out a starting 11 that included: Megan Smith, Vyviene Spaulding, Brandi Thomsen, Lauren Bastian, Maddie Thiss, Taylor Nuncio, Kendall Battle, Ashley Barron, Ellie Flower, Emma Schmelzer, and Anna Rexford.
The Falcons ran out a starting 11 that included: Lili Berg, Jasmin Dijsselhof, Mackenzie Reuber, Lexi Czerwien, Brynn Gardner, Isabelle Gilmore, Maya Dean, Katie Cox, Ellie Pool, Lacee Bethea, and Kenna White.
The first 35 minutes were very quiet as the score remained 0-0. But the Bearcats would get the offense rolling shortly after that. Vanessa DiNardo would score her first goal of the season making an in-and-out move past a defender and sending a shot right over the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper to give the Bearcats a 1-0 lead. The two sides would remain at the 1-0 score heading into the half.
In the second half, the Falcons were able to get things going on offense as Brynn Gardner scored her first collegiate goal off an assist right inside the six-yard frame to nod the score up 1-1. Anna Rexford made some exceptional saves to limit the damage and keep the score right where it was as we were heading toward the final whistle. Neither team was able to find the net after the 71st minute and Cincinnati and Bowling green battled to a 1-1 draw.
Rexford has now recorded six saves to one goal allowed through the first three matches. With the 4-3 edge tonight, the Bearcats have held the advantage in saves in two of three matches. The junior goal keeper has started off the season exceptionally well and has picked up where she left off last season when she piled up 36 saves and finished third and sixth in the AAC for saves (3.27 per game) and goals-against-average (1.25).
The Cincinnati Bearcats are now 1-0-2 on the year. Cincinnati will be back in action on Sunday, Aug. 28 when they host Murray State at Gettler Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.
