The Bearcats would hold off for a 2-0 win here at Gettler Stadium to kick off the 2022 season, behind goals from Vyviene Spalding and Brandi Thompson. The Bearcats are bringing back a load of experience from a season ago, and it showed here tonight behind strong performances from Ashley Barron on defense who showed why she was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year the last two seasons and tabbed the AAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The momentum changed early when freshman Megan Smith really changed the pace for the Bearcats early on in the first half, as the freshman was the first one off the bench for Neil Stafford. A big stat differential for this one here tonight was the Bearcats outshot the Norse 17-2 which showed how dominant the Bearcats were offensive, as they controlled the tempo early and never looked back. The Bearcats have now won 6 of their last 7 home openers under head coach Neil Stafford.
The one thing the Bearcats showed here tonight was the depth Neil Stafford has, and he elaborated on the incoming freshman and four transfers this week and what their early impact was heading into the season.
“I think there is a new look to this team, I think we got some influential transfers, and newcomers. we got some freshman that have stepped up right away. It’s really about bringing it together; we had two tough preseason scrimmages with Butler and Louisville. I think it’s really shown us who we are right now.”
Stafford recapped the Bearcats 2-0 victory over the Norse where the Bearcats now lead the Riverboat Rivalry 5-0 all time.
“I saw us grow from Preseason; it was nice to see us have a little more edge tonight. I want to give full credit to the woman I think they were really resilient, bouncing back from two difficult preseason games. There’s a rivalry between the two schools obviously being so close to one another. It was good for us to have that edge, and I thought we controlled the game tonight. I think a really great solid team performance in all tonight.”
Vyviene Spalding, who made her Bearcat debut tonight after transferring from Rice where she spent her freshman season.
“Vyviene’s goal was just unbelievable, the way she took, the texture of the ball, the way she wrapped her foot around the ball, that’s a professional level goal. You are really happy for Vyviene. She is so versatile, she’s so athletic, she has really filed in for us in different spots, she’s been very patient with getting in positions she really wants to be in. It was nice to see her get rewarded tonight for her hard work.”
The Bearcats will be back in action this Sunday when they welcome in Michigan State to Gettler Stadium at 1 pm for an afternoon showcase vs a top Big 10 program.
