CINCINNATI, OH --- FC Cincinnati scored a goal in each half to score a 2-0 win over the UC Bearcats in a hometown friendly Sat. evening at Gettler Stadium.
Djiby gave FC Cincinnati a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute, scoring a goal in the midst of traffic. Connecting with Aodhan Quinn on a set piece, Djiby crossed into the box from the right side and slipped the ball on the first touch past UC goalie Pearce Skinner.
The goal was Djiby’s third of the preseason and could have been a fourth after his strike on a pass from Kadeem Dacres less than a minute prior was called back on a delayed whistle.
Andrew Weideman also missed an opportunity to record a brace in the second half. In the 66th minute, Mansaray beat his defender on the left side and took a hard shot from 35-yards out that was blocked away by Skinner and Wiedeman pounced on the rebound and slid the ball in for his first preseason goal.
In the 79th minute, Wiedeman stepped up to take a penalty kick after Eric Stevenson had his drive towards the goal halted from behind but Wiedman’s shot clanged off the post.
FCC pressured the Bearcat defenders early and was able to keep possession on UC’s half of the field for most of the period.
Djiby had the first attempt for the Orange and Blue, taking a long pass from Harrison Delbridge in the 13th minute but saw his shot squirt wide.
Daryl Fordyce had a chance in the 15th minute, taking a short pass from Djiby from 10 yards out but his left-footed attempt went straight to Pearce Skinner, who made the save.
Kenney Walker had an opportunity in the 25th minute, jumping on a clearance and taking a shot from 25 yards out but was denied by a diving save from Skinner 25th minute.
Kadeem Dacres took five shots in the first half, seeing his first chance in the 32nd minute that was knocked down by Skinner and struck again in the 33rd minute, taking an angled shot that slipped wide.
FCC mounted a furious attack in the final minute with a flurry of shots with Paul Nicholson hitting the post, Quinn getting a second attempt that was blocked by the UC defense and Walker blasting a shot that flew high.
Head coach Alan Koch fielded a different lineup in the second half and FCC held possession for most of the period. Mansary was active early and looked to connect in the 63rd minute, carrying the ball deep into the UC box but Stevenson, heading towards the goal, just missed connecting on the pass.
UC had a chance in the 71st minute with Nick Melville taking a set piece for UC but his service into the box bounced to Dallas Jaye.
Andy Craven made his way into UC’s attacking third, shaking off a series of defenders and earned a free kick for FCC but his header off the set piece was intercepted by Skinner.
UC alumnus Omar Cummings, a late-game substitution, looked to score against his former team in stoppage time with a shot from the top of the box that sliced wide.
UC also had a late-game chance in extra time as Elias Helbig had an attempt that was saved by Jaye.
FCC wraps up the preseason slate next Fri., Mar. 17 at Xavier University at 7:00 p.m.
Scoring Summary:
29th: FCC - Djiby Fall (Aodhan Quinn)
66th: FCC - Andrew Wiedeman
Starting Lineups:
FCC
Mitch Hildebrandt, Matt Bahner, Tyler Polak, Harrison Delbridge, Aodhan Quinn, Kenney Walker, Kadeem Dacres, Djiby Fall, Daryl Fordyce, Jimmy McLaughlin, Trialist
UC
Pearce Skinner, Christian Hay, Patrick Nielsen, David Sanz, Sean Clarke, Jack Clark, Nick Melville, Peyton Mowery, Austin Smythe, Ryan Melink, Aerin West
