Arizona Triumphs Over Cincinnati in Thrilling Feline Face-off

Gianna Christensen and Nyota Katembo propelled the Wildcats to a convincing 2-0 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats on Thursday evening at Mulcahy Stadium. This match marked the Wildcats’ inaugural home event in the Big 12.

The early moments of the game saw a concerning incident involving Wildcat goalkeeper Olivia Ramey, who collided with Bearcats’ Ellie Flower. Ramey required treatment on the field for several minutes, while Flower received only a yellow card for her reckless play.

The scoring began in the 21st minute. Christensen, positioned wide right, executed a long, looping shot that eluded Bearcat keeper Anna Rexford, finding the far corner of the net. This marked Christensen’s fifth goal of the season, tying her with Nicole Dallin as the team’s top scorer. Katembo quickly added a second goal following the restart, skillfully dribbling past Rexford to slot home the ball.

Although the Bearcats dominated possession in the second half, they managed only three shots, failing to threaten the Wildcats’ defense. “The first half was really open. Our forwards had pinned them back,” said Christensen, reflecting on the match. “[In the second half], we knew they were going long, so we sat back and waited for that long ball.”

Zoe Mendiola, the recent Big 12 Freshman of the Week, emphasized the team’s composure. “Choosing our moments: when to attack and when to keep it. I thought we did a really good job,” she noted.

The Wildcats look forward to their home matchup against the West Virginia Mountaineers, riding a wave of confidence with an undefeated record in their first four Big 12 games, including a previous win over ASU.

Cincinnati’s goalkeeper, Rexford, showcased impressive skills in goal despite the loss, thwarting several potential goals that could have widened the margin significantly. Her performance came under the pressure of cheers from the Arizona rugby team, who supported the Wildcats from the sidelines.

“They were great. We need them here all the time,” Christensen remarked, highlighting the importance of fan support. Mendiola echoed her sentiments, stating, “It fires us up.”