Men's Soccer Gets Nipped by No. 15 Cincinnati, 1-0
Sept. 28, 2005
CINCINNATI - The Xavier University men's soccer team and the Bearcats played 89:44 of scoreless soccer but UC forward Kenny Anaba found the back of the net with 16-seconds remaining as the Musketeers lost 1-0 to No. 15 Cincinnati on Wednesday evening at Gettler Stadium. With the loss, XU falls to 1-6-1 on the year while the Bearcats improve to 6-2-1. The match was the 34th meeting between the two squads. Omar Cummings played the ball to Anaba who was just inside the goal box. Anaba squared and struck a shot just past the diving effort of XU net-minder Liam Curran. Curran was outstanding in net for XU all night. The junior made 12 saves on the night to establish a new career high. The Musketeers came out of the gate strong and put together two solid scoring opportunities. In the game's fourth minute, junior midfielder Matt Kmetz played the ball ahead to sophomore striker Jon Enders into UC's defensive third. Enders got ahead of the Bearcat defense and directed the ball towards the UC net. However, UC goalkeeper Mike Vessells made a lunging save and punched the ball out of harm's way. XU also narrowly missed a goal with 13:10 remaining in the first session. Kmetz took an XU corner and served the ball into the far side of the UC goal box. Senior back Chris Wolever headed the ball towards the goal where it was intercepted by junior forward Toni Skudrzik. Skudrzik headed a ball at point-blank range that looked ticketed for the back of the net, but it clanged off the crossbar preserving the scoreless tie.
Vessells made one save for the Bearcats. XU will be back in action on Friday, September 30 when the team takes on Wright State. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Dayton, Ohio. |
