Bearcats To Host 3rd Annual Summer Pick-up League

May 27th, 2010 | Written by: Kevin Bissmeyer | Posted in Articles |

The Cincinnati Bearcats would like to announce the beginning of their summer pickup league. The free pickup league begins on June 16th and will last through the end of July and will take place at Sheakley Lawn at the University of Cincinnati. The league is open to all players 17 or older and will take place every Wednesday from 7-9 PM.

All players are required to bring their own light/dark reversible jersey and their own water as there is none on site. The teams will be decided each night by tossing in sticks and then picking sides. players are asked to bring extra balls with them as the field is notorious for stealing them.

This is the third year UC has run this summer league and in years past it has been a great success and has attracted a lot players from all kinds of competitive backgrounds. Pass on the news, and bring your friends as all are encouraged to come out and help keep this summer league growing! Follow the Bearcats on Facebook for the quickest updates on information and schedules! UCLAXFacebook

Cincinnati Says Goodbye to Seniors

May 17th, 2010 | Written by: Kevin Bissmeyer | Posted in Articles |

      The Cincinnati Bearcats had an excellent 09/10 campaign making it to the NCLL final four for just the second time in the schools history, but also the second time in the last three years. The recent success of the Bearcats program can be traced to many contributing factors such as increased team organization, good coaching, more commitment, and higher levels of incoming talent then in years past, however one of the other crucially important reasons for the growth and improvement of the team has been the outstanding contributions from the Bearcats seniors who have been a part of the early years of mediocrity at UC and have been instrumental in the emergence of the program in the last three years.

This years senior class was the last link to the Schools first head coach Dave Reed, and have been a part of the changing atmosphere at Cincinnati that has included two coaching changes, an increased practice schedule and the first lacrosse games played at Nippert Stadium. The expansion of the sport has a lot to do with the success of the team, and this success is thanks in large part to the seniors who have helped lead the way through the transition.

This years graduating seniors are one of the most accomplished groups to come through the school; consisting of the schools all time scoring leader, as well as the all time winningest goalie and one of the longest tenured defensive starters to play at UC. Here is a look back at the individual accomplishments of seniors Bobby Nagle, Kyle O’Neal, and Paul Mckay.

Bobby Nagle has been a staple on the UC attack since his first game as a freshman. A four year starter, Nagle has also been a team captain in both his junior and senior seasons as well as a member of the team leadership council. In addition to his accomplishments as a team leader he has been one of the teams most important players winning the UC offensive player of the year award in both his junior and senior years on his way to setting the schools all time scoring record. Since team statistics began being kept in the 07-08 season, Nagle has racked up an impressive 63 goals averaging out to 21 goals a season.

Senior goalie Kyle O’Neal may have had to wait to get his starting job, but once it was his he made a name for himself as one of the best goalies in all of club lacrosse. O’Neal, a two time team MVP is a three year starter for UC and has been a three year captain with the team as well as a member of the leadership council. Kyle will leave UC with an all time winning percentage of 81% and in his three years as a starter has led the Bearcats to a 44-10 record while allowing an average of only 4.6 goals per game. O’Neals presence between the pipes will be missed next year as the Bearcats will have to find a new starter in the net.

Senior Paul Mckay is only the second defensive player at UC to start all four years of their career. Since settling into his role on the team as a freshman, Mckay has been one of the most improved players on the team as he was able to get better every season with the team. Mckay, like the other seniors has been instrumental in helping the team on the field, but he has also extended his influence off the field. Paul was a two year captain with the team, a founder of the leadership council, and the team president in his junior year. Mckays presence on defense, his motivational speeches, and his leadership and organization efforts off the field have all been a major part of the programs improvement, and his effort will be recognizably missed in the years to come.

With these three seniors moving on to the next stage of their lives and leaving the program behind the Bearcats will have to find ways to fill the large shoes left by these players. Cincinnati is full of both youth and talent and this summer will be an important one as Cincinnati will try to fill in the holes left by the departures of these players. On behalf of all the Cincinnati Bearcats Lacrosse Community I would like to thank the seniors for all their contributions to the program over the years and wish them the best in whatever awaits them in their post lacrosse careers.

Season Ends In Final Four

May 6th, 2010 | Written by: Kevin Bissmeyer | Posted in recaps |

The 2009/10 lacrosse season was one of the best seasons in Cincinnati’s history and was a year filled with accomplishments and firsts. It started in the fall with the Bearcats beating Miami in the Capitol Tournament Championship to bring home the inaugural trophy in that tournament. Cincinnati continued its winning ways in the Midwest Lacrosse Festival where they brought home their first ever championship in that tournament after placing second and third in the previous seasons. During the MLF the Bearcats were also able to knock off rivals Ohio U. and Ohio State on their way to the trophy. By the end of the year Cincinnati had won its third consecutive Midwest Regional Championship, and was advancing to the NCLL Elite Eight for the second time in the last three seasons. There was one thing Cincinnati was not able to cross off its list though, a National Championship as they lost in the Final Four to Lynchburg University in a high scoring back and forth game.

In Cincinnati’s first game they lined up against a talented St. Mary’s team that looked ready to give the Bearcats all they bargained for. Cincinnati started off strong taking a 9-3 lead into the half and controlling the ball possession. The second half was a much different story as UC was outscored 6-2 and was looking out of sync. However, the Bearcats pulled themselves together at the end of the game and were able to hang on to an 11-9 win moving them onto the Final Four.

Cincinnati was led in this game by Zach Fehr who tallied four goals, as well as attackmen Bobby Nagle and Danny Macauley who each scored two goals. other scorers were Ray Harper and and Alex Arkeilpane.

The Final Four match up featured a high powered Lynchburg team that has made multiple championship appearances recently and was a favorite coming into the tournament again this year. Cincinnati started the game off well taking a 6-1 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the momentum would not last as the second quarter scoring was 6-2 in Lynchburgs favor with the halftime score reading 8-7, Bearcats. The third quarter remained close as each team notched four more goals and went into the final quarter with Cincinnati leading 12-11. The fourth quarter saw it slip away from the Bearcats as they were losing the ground ball battle and as a result the possession battle as well. Lynchburg was able to rack up five more goals in the quarter while UC managed only three and with five seconds left and the ball at midfield after a penalty UC had one last chance to try to even the score, but the pass was batted down and the game, as well as the Bearcats season ended.

UC was led in scoring by returning attackman Jason Keck, who in just his second game back with the team since injuring his hip racked up four goals and an assist in limited playing time. In his final game with the Bearcats, senior Bobby Nagle scored three times while the other two attackmen Danny Macauley and Joe Werner both scored twice, with Werner adding two assists. Other scorers were Zach Fehr, Phil Cowles, Matt Keller and Alex Arkeilpane.

With the season ending one game earlier then the Bearcats would have liked the team will be working hard in the off-season to improve and reload for next season. With a returning core of players, as well as a highly anticipated incoming class Cincinnati looks to be on track for another tournament run next year.

The Bearcats would like to thank everyone who has supported and followed us and helped make this such an incredible year, we could not do it without the help of our fans!

Bearcats Win D-II Regional Championship, Head to “Elite 8″ in Maryland

April 28th, 2010 | Written by: Kevin Bissmeyer | Posted in recaps |

On Friday, April 23rd the Bearcats walked into a hostile environment at Youngstown State and walked out with an NCLL D-II Regional Championship, Cincinnati’s second in three years. However, this game was anything but easy for the Bearcats as they were trailing the entire first half to a big and physical Youngstown State team. With freshman Zia Ahmed in goal for starter Kyle O’Neal, and several other starters missing, the young Bearcats were able to come from four goals down halftime to win the game 9-5 moving on to the NCLL “Elite 8″ in Maryland with their first game against St. Mary’s on Saturday, May 1st.

The turn in momentum can be attributed to an increase in the aggressiveness of the defenders as well as a very quick two goals scored by Ray Harper to start the third quarter and bring Cincinnati to within a two goals of the Penguins. Senior Bobby Nagel also had a great game finding the back of the net five times, leading all scorers.

After an impressive come from behind win at YSU the Bearcats travelled to New York to take on Buffalo State and Canisius in UC’s first trip to the liberty state. The Bearcats beat both Buffalo State and Canisius 11-5 and 11-1 respectively. Cincinnati had an impressive team effort as every player contributed equally to the quality road wins. In his first extensive action since joining the Bearcats, freshman goalie Zia Ahmed played very well allowing only 11 goals in 3 games on the road trip. Ahmed will be counted on next season as the Bearcats will lose senior Goalie Kyle O’Neal.

Cincinnati will leave Friday morning and stay over night to prepare for their first game at 8:30 Saturday morning against St. Mary’s of Maryland. The games will be played at The University of Maryland.

Cincinnati Ends The Season On The Road

April 20th, 2010 | Written by: Kevin Bissmeyer | Posted in Articles |

The Cincinnati Bearcats will be traveling to Youngstown State University on Friday night to play their NCLL regional qualifying game against YSU. The winner of this game will advance to the NCLL “Elite 8″ in Maryland the weekend of May 1st. In a game that was originally scheduled to be played at a neutral site in New York, due to scheduling conflicts beyond the Bearcats control, they will now have to travel to Youngstown State and play the Penguins at home. The game will be played at Stambough Stadium at 8:00PM.

Following the game against Youngstown State the Bearcats will travel to Buffalo State to finish their regular season games against Buffalo State and Canisius on Saturday. The games will begin at 2:00PM and will be played at Nichols High School Stadium, located at 1250 Amhurst St. Buffalo, New York. 14216.

If the Bearcats are able to pull off a win against YSU on Friday night they will qualify for their second NCLL “elite 8″ in the last three seasons. Dont miss your last opportunity to see the Bearcats play in Ohio when they face off in the NCLL regional qualifier Friday night, at Youngstown State.