W-D-L: 1-3-5 6-0-7
October 3, 2013
7:00 pm @ University of Houston
I never imagined that a soccer game could cause such a writer's block. I should just follow my own advice in overcoming a slump and do what comes naturally (see blog entry dated September 27, 2013). Usually, when it comes to this beautiful game, I can talk about it all day and all night. I guess I've been overthinking this. This is what I will do - what comes naturally - even if I have to be brutally honest with myself and face my mixed emotions. I was excited, relieved, overjoyed to see the return to the pitch of Houston senior Kylie Cook, one of this blog's favorite midfielders. If readers recall, Kylie's last appearance on this blog was against Stephen F. Austin when she went down hustling typically hard to maintain possession of a ball on its way out, and then subsequently left the field in an ambulance (see blog entry dated September 3, 2013). Her playmaking presence in the midfield has been sorely missed. But admittedly, it was not a warm welcome she received on the pitch. This game was a showdown between one program that is working hard to avoid finishing with its worst record in school history and another that is bouncing back from its worst record in school history, so the Cincinnati Bearkats were not about to lay out a welcome carpet for Kylie.
Cincinnati has a long hard climb to where they were in their glory days of last century. Between the program's inaugural season in 1980 to 2002, the Bearkats posted losing percentages only four times. Under Coach Meridy Glenn's tenure, six of those seasons ended with a berth in the NCAA tournament, capturing four Conference USA cups and three league titles, twice winning the double. Cinci has not fared as well over the past decade since, making the Big East post-season only once. The 2012 campaign saw Cincinnati's worst record in school history, winning just one out of 11 conference matches and finishing with a -26 goal differential. Joining the new American Athletic Conference, Cincinnati most probably would like to forget the past ten years and start fresh. At Houston's expense, these current Bearkats have already escaped a repeat, thanks to five freshwomen in their starting lineup who have no memory of the atrocious last season, including the two goal-scorers Katy Couperus and Bailey Wilson. If the performance of this freshwoman generation is any indication, Cincinnati's climb back has begun.
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| Katy Couperus (20) heads a rocket into the back of the net. Katy is one of five freshwomen in Cincinnati's starting lineup clawing their way back from the worst season in school history. |
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| Defender Jae Atkinson (9) is an instrumental presence for the Bearkats, all the way into the offensive third. |
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| Cincinnati effectively applies an aerial advantage. Bailey Wilson (21) swats in the winner. Both Bearkat goals come from the air. |
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| Kelsey Zamora (7) is very busy in Houston's attacking third, where she fights to get past Kayla Utley (5). |
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| The return of Kylie Cook (2) to the Houston midfield is most welcome. Now sporting a cast along with her signature tongue in cheek, Kylie brings an irreplaceable playmaking creativity that has been missed. |
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| Freshwoman defender Taylor Nelson (16) confronts Kylie Cook (2)... |
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| ...who changes direction inwards to split the defense and take space... |
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| ...leaving Taylor and Jae Atkinson (9) in the dust. Welcome back Kylie. |
(All photos by Kokoy Severino.)
UPCOMING MATCHES OF THE WEEK:
Friday Oct 18 Colorado College (#24) @ Rice (#134) 7:00 pm (C-USA)
Thursday Oct 24 University of Central Florida (#12) @ U of H (#232) 7:00 pm (AAC)
Friday Oct 25 Grambling State University (#325) @ TSU (#327) 7:00 pm (SWAC)
Sunday Oct 27 University of South Florida (#174) @ U of H (#232) 1:00 pm (C-USA)
Friday Nov 1 Sam Houston State University (#206) @ HBU (#252) 5:00 pm (SLC)
Monday Nov 4 Conference USA Tournament 1st Round @ Rice 4:30 and 7:00 pm
Wednesday Nov 6 Conference USA Tournament Quarter-Finals @ Rice 4:30 and 7:00 pm
Friday Nov 8 Conference USA Tournament Semi-Finals @ Rice 4:30 and 7:00 pm
Saturday Nov 9 Red River Athletic Conference Tournament Final @ Houston Amateur Sports Park 5:00 pm
Sunday Nov 10 Conference USA Tournament Final @ Rice 1:00 pm
Friday-Sunday Nov 15-17 NCAA Division I Tournament 1st Round @ Campus TBA
Sunday Nov 24 NCAA Division I Tournament 3rd Round @ Campus TBA
Friday-Saturday Nov 29-30 NCAA Division I Tournament Quarter-Finals @ Campus TBA
Saturday Dec 7 NCAA Division III Tournament Final @ Blossom Stadium, San Antonio 1:30 pm
(Kokoy's Matches of the Week are those which I plan to attend. Schedule subject to change.)
Kokoy Severino has been coaching junior high school soccer in the public school system of the Greater Houston area for 19 years. He holds a National Youth Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, two coaching certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on the relationship between interscholastic competitive soccer and the academic success of at-risk students. He returns regularly to his native country of the Philippines and conducts soccer training sessions for economically disadvantaged youths.
"This blog is to document the intensity, the depth, the passion, the strategic and tactical nuances, the stars, the spectacular play that I witness in the women's teams at the college level. And in doing so, it is my hope that others might be inspired to discover for themselves the beautiful game brought by the women." (Kokoy, from blog entry dated Nov 4, 2012)
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